PESHAWAR, Dec 31: The NWFP government has arranged a meeting of former provincial finance ministers on Thursday to review its stand about the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and the hydel profit.

Provincial Finance, Planning and Development Minister Sirajul Haq will preside over the meeting at the Frontier House, Islamabad. Of the seven former ministers invited, five had confirmed their participation, sources said.

"In the morning session the former ministers would be briefed on the NFC award and in the second session the provincial government's strategy regarding its grievances towards the Water and Power Development Authority over the net hydel profit issue would be discussed," said an official.

Former chief ministers Arbab Mohammed Jehangir and Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, who held the portfolio of finance, and former finance ministers, Haji Mohammed Adeel of the Awami National Party, Nawabzada Mohsin Ali Khan of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and Iftikhar Mohmand are likely to attend the meeting. Former finance ministers Fareed Rehman and Salim Saifullah of the Pakistan Muslim League are abroad.

A team of finance department officials went to Islamabad on Wednesday to give briefing at the meeting. Provincial government has sought distribution of resources between the federation and the provinces on a 40:60 ratio under the new NFC award.

It has called for inclusion of fuel surcharge in the federal divisible pool. According to sources, the inclusion of fuel surcharge would add up toRs46 billion in the federal divisible pool.

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