PESHAWAR: Adviser to the chief minister on finance, Muzammil Aslam on Tuesday claimed that the National Economic Council (NEC) had agreed to release a grant of Rs70 billion for the uplift of merged districts.

In a statement issued from his office, while congratulating the people of merged districts on approval of uplift grant, he said he along with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attended the NEC meeting, and demanded funds for construction of the power transmission lines so that low-cost electricity could be provided to the people.

He said the province was all set to generate cheap electricity of 180MW at the rate of Rs7 per unit. He added that KP government wanted to provide low-cost electricity to the Rashakai and Daraban economic zones.

Mr Aslam said he impressed upon the NEC that it was necessary to also take onboard the provinces in the dialogue with the IMF, and take all the stakeholders in confidence while inking any deal with the lender. He said NEC chairman agreed to his proposal. The adviser on finance said the provincial government was committed to the wellbeing of its people.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2024