PESHAWAR, Jan 13: A joint action committee on Water and Power Development Authority affairs in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas declared on Monday that installation of power meters was the only way to settle the row over power dues in the region.

The committee, in a meeting presided over by NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, however, decided that a strategy would be evolved for the purpose in consultation with the elected representatives and political agents and implemented in the shortest possible time.

Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Wapda Chairman Tariq Hamid and members of the committee, including Fata Senator Malik Mohammad Ajmal and MNAs Maulana Noorul Haq Qadri and Munir Khan Orakzai attended the meeting.

The Fata parliamentarians held out the assurance that a procedure would be devised in consultation with the people of their constituencies to implement the decision.

The governor said the issue of the recovery of Wapda dues would be settled soon. Mr Sherpao stressed the need to motivate the tribesmen for the installation of meters. "We aim to reach a consensus on a practicable solution to the issue," he said.

Peshawar Electricity Supply Company Chief Executive Brig Tahir Saeed Malik briefed the meeting about the organizational structure of the Tribal Electricity Supply Company and efforts to improve Wapda's infrastructure in the tribal areas.

UK DELEGATION: A British team led by Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn called on the governor on Monday,hinting at cooperation by the UK's department for international development, particularly in the education sector. Mr Benn, who was accompanied by British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant, showed interest in the development of the NWFP and Fata. The governor informed the delegation about the development profile ofthe province and Fata and highlighted the priority areas.