PESHAWAR, Jan 6: Five hydel power generation projects on which work has begun will generate 4,000 megawatts electricity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next few years, said provincial agriculture minister Arbab Ayub Jan on Friday.

Speaking at the ‘Mulaqat Programme’ of Khyber Union of Journalists here at Peshawar Press Club, the minister said the government had sufficient funds for the said projects, while the World Bank, too, had committed to provide soft loans for them.

He also regretted that in the past, provinces were stopped from establishing power generation units though they had a keen desire and the ability to do so.

“Before the 18th amendment to the Constitution, provinces were allowed to build 50 to 60 megawatt power projects only but now, there is no such limitation and they could even go for foreign loan for the purpose,” he said.

Mr Arbab said Awami National Party had a comprehensive plan for public welfare but soon after coming to power, it faced serious problems, especially terrorism, which claimed the lives of over 400 workers and lawmakers.

He said ANP formed the government under ‘very difficult’ circumstances but had fulfilled electoral commitment of peace restoration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The minister appreciated security forces, police, media and people’s efforts for combating terrorism in the province. He also praised ANP leadership for renaming the province in line with the people’s demands and said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would meet its expenditure through its share in the 7th National Finance Commission Award.

Mr Arbab said the provinces’ share had been increased under the latest NFC Award and that they were getting more than 56 per cent of the federal divisible pool shares, while the rest went to the centre.

He said the government has planned to give subsidy to industries on electric supply along the lines of Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate for better investment.

The minister said the government was promoting solar energy system and would soon sign agreements with companies in this respect. He said of the 500 tube wells approved by the government, 400 had already been sunk, while work on the rest would be completed during the current year and that 50 per cent subsidy would be given on electric supply to them.

Mr Arbab said the government had planned cultivation of more than 20,000 acres of land over four years and that 80 per cent expenditure of its work would be borne by the government and the rest by landowners.

He said under annual development programme, 50 bulldozers had been bought and purchase of 25 more had been planned during the current fiscal. He said for the first time in its history, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become self-sufficient in production of wheat seed, while the agriculture department was providing four to five certified seed varieties to growers.