NOWSHERA, April 21: In a surprise departure from their past policy of 'strong centre' the Jamaat-i-Islami has demanded more powers for the provinces. "The strong centre will not strengthen Pakistan. Survival and integrity of the country lay in strengthening provinces by devolving more powers", senior provincial minister Sirajul Haq observed.

Addressing the District Bar Nowshera on Wednesday he said that the federal government should give more powers to the provinces instead of concentrating it into the centre. The Bar president Mohammad Farooq Advocate was present on the occasion.

He claimed that the centre had withheld Rs349 billion of the NWFP in the head of net hydel profit which adversely affected financial health of the province. He said that they always raised slogan for provincial rights, adding the MMA government would continue the struggle to obtain equal share in the National Finance Commission and net hydel profit.

Mr Siraj, who is also provincial chief of the JI, asked the centre to resolve matters on merit and give equal treatment to the federating units in share distribution. He said the ball is now in the centre's court and it has to decide all issues including the net hydel profit.

He said the president had sanctioned Rs29bn for development of Karachi and gave Rs64bn for Gwadar Port but the NWFP could get only Rs6bn in the head of net hydel profit.