PESHAWAR, Jan 17: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani on Wednesday said his government wanted to avoid legal wrangling over the issue of net profits from hydel generation but added that he would not compromise on provincial rights.

He made the statement the day the Supreme Court heard the NWFP’s plea for adjudication over Wapda’s refusal to pay Rs110 billion in arrears. Mr Durrani welcomed President Gen Musharraf’s initiative to resolve the issue through dialogue.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of the Peshawar Press Club, the chief minister said that since taking over power, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government had been striving for rights of the province.

Referring to the arbitration tribunal’s decision on net hydel profit, he said some elements were trying to deprive his province of its legitimate rights through delaying tactics, adding the provincial government would not withdraw from its principled stand.

“We effectively tackled the situation and took the whole provincial assembly comprising 124 MPAs, speaker and the opposition leader to Islamabad to convey our voice to the centre appropriately,” the chief minister said. He said President Gen Musharraf had hinted at intervening in the matter by convening an important meeting. He hoped the issue would be resolved soon.

Mr Durrani lauded the role of journalists in highlighting issues pertaining to provincial rights.

Referring to a longstanding demand of a residential colony for journalists in the provincial capital, the chief minister announced that the provincial government would ensure establishment of the colony in six months. He also directed the finance department to release Rs2.5 million outstanding grant to the Peshawar Press Club within a week.

Earlier, M. Riaz, president of the press club, demanded that the government should create an environment where journalists could perform their duties without any fear. He said journalists were helping the government by pinpointing its weaknesses and problems, thereby giving an opportunity to the rulers to resolve them.