PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar has assured Chief Minister Pervez Khattak that federal government will extend all possible support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in economic development of the province.

According to a handout, issued here on Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak discussed issues related to finance, planning and development and other sectors of the province with federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Khwaja Asif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during a meeting in Islamabad.

Mr Khattak at the outset of the meeting mentioned the payment of arrears of outstanding net hydel profit to the province. He apprised the federal ministers of issues relating to ministries of water and power, petroleum and natural resources, finance (FBR), planning and development and other related sectors.

The meeting agreed that the issue would be taken up by ministry of water and power on priority basis with inputs from NEPRA and Wapda to propose workable options. A meeting to this effect would be held in March with due representation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similarly, all other issues related to the ministry of water and power would be discussed at working level meetings, proposing the way forward as per needs and demand of the province.

Federal Minister Ishaq Dar assured the chief minister that federal government would extend all possible support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in economic uplift of the province. He said the federal government organisations and departments engaged in development works in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would also be urged to undertake their tasks with Khattak assured of centre’s support in KP uplift devotion and dedication.

Mr Khattak on this occasion voiced Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s interest to be incorporated in the energy and economic corridor to benefit from the number of projects being undertaken under it.

Mr Dar assured him of support in this regard, reiterating that federal government in true national spirit deemed it an obligation to extend support to all the provinces.

He told the chief minister that federal government appreciated development projects undertaken by the province but there had to be proper consideration and approval by ECNEC which was the right forum for the purpose.

The minister said that federal government would like to initiate a consultative process between the centre and provinces for the purpose of allocation of funds for projects as prioritised by the provinces themselves. He also opined that that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government could surrender projects, which it deemed unbeneficial, and accordingly the funds could be redirected to other priority areas. The chief minister welcomed the suggestion.

Mr Khattak also requested for sovereign guarantees with regard to hydro power projects or other IPPs owned by the provincial government. It was decided that centre would facilitate the province in the matter.

Published in Dawn February 25th , 2015

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