ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi announced here on Monday that the government was not increasing electricity charges.

When asked whether the government had notified a revised power tariff for eight distribution companies of Wapda as determined by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, the minister said the matter was still being discussed.

He declined to comment when it was pointed out the finance ministry had informed the International Monetary Fund that power tariff of some categories of domestic consumers would be increased but said: "Electricity rates will not be increased."

The minister, who was talking to journalists at an iftar partyhere, said the government would not step back on its pledge to construct large reservoirs but said it would convince the people about the need for new reservoirs and take a decision with consensus.

He said the government was in no haste and it would wait for the report of the technical committee on water resources led by A.N.G. Abbasi which is expected shortly.

He said the government was in the process of setting up a 'National Water Council' as envisaged under the National Water Policy so that crucial decisions about water resources could be taken by an appropriate forum in consultation with all stakeholders, including the four chief ministers.

He, however, sidestepped a question whether the decision on construction of new dams would also be taken by the NWC. He said that some people were raising questions about the constitution of the NWC when a constitutional forum of the Council of Common Interest was already there. He said the CCI took all decisions relating to inter-provincial matters.

On the other hand, the NWC would cover all aspects of the water sector, including conservation and utilisation of water resources, drought management, national drainage, and desilting and the lining of canal and watercourses.

The minister replied in the negative when asked whether the Indus River System Authority would also be merged into the proposed National Water Council like the federal flood commission, the chief engineering adviser organisation and the planning wing of Wapda's water wing. He said Irsa's regulatory role in the water distribution could not be changed but chairman Irsa would attend all meetings of the council's for Irsa's valuable input.

Responding to a question about security of Chinese nationals working on important water projects, the minister said Wapda would provide fool-proof security to them through private agencies.

However, referring to a meeting presided over by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Monday, the minister said provincial governments, district administrations, police and frontier constabulary had also been asked to beef up security and present a plan to the government.

He said another meeting on security of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese, would be held soon to review the plans to be presented by the above-mentioned agencies.

He said some forces did not want Pakistan to be seen as an attractive place for investment and business and the government would make all efforts to foil such attempts.