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Durrani reaffirms commitment to boost relations with center

SHOGRAN (NNI): NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani has reaffirmed his commitment to boost further relations with the centre saying that both the provincial and federal governments have already been enjoying good relations.

Addressing a public gathering after inauguration of Forest Dak Bungalow at Shogran in Mansehra, the chief minister said the elements wanting to weaken relations between centre and province have already lost their political identity in the last general elections.

Durrani said he was interested in developing good working relationship with centre. The provincial government did not want to indulge in unnecessary exercise of mud slinging.

The chief minister said the centre should have to pay up to Rs 17 billion annually on net hydle profit but unfortunately the case was not properly pursued in past.

The claim to increase net profit on hydle power generation up to Rs 17 billion annually under the AGN Qazi formula would continue. This was a just claim and the Frontier government could not be complacent with Rs 6 billion-capped amount.

He said the government had constituted a Jirga to plead the case of the province for enhancing the net profit. All the political forces in Frontier including senators, MNAs, and his cabinet colleagues would meet the president and prime minister to demand the provincial rights. Presently, the government has 10% own resources and for rest 90% it depend on federal government.

The resources of the province were drained and the foreign investors are shy to invest. Due to the wrong policies in the past the investors never showed any interest in frontier province. But now with improved law and order, the foreign investors are more than willing to invest in NWFP and contacting the government.

He said during his visit to the Saudi Arab the investors have shown interest in various field. His government was laying down necessary infrastructure including road communication and opening up of tourists' potential areas. Galyat, Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Swat, Kalam, Dir Kumrat and other tourists' potential areas would be developed.

He said the government wanted to exploit water recourses for agriculture sector development. Small dams would be set up for power generation and agriculture purpose.

Durrani said that his government would look into compensate Mansehra because it also hosted Afghan refugees.

The chief minister assured the government would take practical steps for development of Shogran. He called upon the political leadership of district Mansehra to sit together and adopt a common approach for the development of the area.

He called upon the people to create awareness against deforestation and the government wanted to enforce forest laws in letter and spirit. The government would foil all those efforts threatening the forest resources.

Earlier, MMA's Secretary Information Mufti Kifayatullah, MPAs, ex-MNA and others spoke on the occasion. Later, the chief minister unveiled the plaque to formally inaugurate the Forests Dak Bungalow in Shogran.

said, fishermen do not fish in the area where the ship has grounded.

He said the latest situation regarding the oil tanker has been communicated to International Tankers Association, Federal Government, Ministry of Environment in Islamabad, the provincial environment department, the Fisheries Department and Maritime Security Agency (MSA).

Ahmed Hayat said the oil may also spill along the coastline in the Clifton and Defence area, but concerted efforts will be made to minimise environmental pollution.

Sindh Chief Secretary Mutawakkal Kazi and Sindh Inspector General of Police Syed Kamal Shah have expressed their concern over the sudden development and have warned the citizens not to visit the beaches until further orders.

Police and Rangers have been deployed at beaches to stop people from going into seawater.

Sindh Chief Minister's Adviser on Environment and Alternate Energy Faisal Malik said that 30 percent of the ship had sunk and it might split from the centre in the next 12 to 15 hours.

In that case, he said, Port Qasim and Steel Mills would also be affected.

Sindh Chief Minister's Adviser on Information and Archives Salahuddin Haider on Wednesday visited Clifton area and witnessed the oil slick flowing from the foreign oil ship, grounded near Karachi Port.

A provincial government handout issued here said that the adviser during his visit said that the ship "Tasman Spirit", which had started cracking might lead to a severe environmental threat to beaches around Clifton and Defence areas of the city.

He advised the people to desist from visiting the beaches until they were declared safe for the visitors.


	Durrani reaffirms commitment to boost relations with center SHOGRAN (NNI): NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani has reaffirmed his commitment to boost further relations with the centre saying that both the provincial and federal governments have already been enjoying good relations. Addressing a public gathering after inauguration of Forest Dak Bungalow at Shogran in Mansehra, the chief minister said the elements wanting to weaken relations between centre and province have already lost their political identity in the last general elections. Durrani said he was interested in developing good working relationship with centre. The provincial government did not want to indulge in unnecessary exercise of mud slinging. The chief minister said the centre should have to pay up to Rs 17 billion annually on net hydle profit but unfortunately the case was not properly pursued in past. The claim to increase net profit on hydle power generation up to Rs 17 billion annually under the AGN Qazi formula would continue. This was a just claim and the Frontier government could not be complacent with Rs 6 billion-capped amount. He said the government had constituted a Jirga to plead the case of the province for enhancing the net profit. All the political forces in Frontier including senators, MNAs, and his cabinet colleagues would meet the president and prime minister to demand the provincial rights. Presently, the government has 10% own resources and for rest 90% it depend on federal government. The resources of the province were drained and the foreign investors are shy to invest. Due to the wrong policies in the past the investors never showed any interest in frontier province. But now with improved law and order, the foreign investors are more than willing to invest in NWFP and contacting the government. He said during his visit to the Saudi Arab the investors have shown interest in various field. His government was laying down necessary infrastructure including road communication and opening up of tourists' potential areas. Galyat, Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Swat, Kalam, Dir Kumrat and other tourists' potential areas would be developed. He said the government wanted to exploit water recourses for agriculture sector development. Small dams would be set up for power generation and agriculture purpose. Durrani said that his government would look into compensate Mansehra because it also hosted Afghan refugees. The chief minister assured the government would take practical steps for development of Shogran. He called upon the political leadership of district Mansehra to sit together and adopt a common approach for the development of the area. He called upon the people to create awareness against deforestation and the government wanted to enforce forest laws in letter and spirit. The government would foil all those efforts threatening the forest resources. Earlier, MMA's Secretary Information Mufti Kifayatullah, MPAs, ex-MNA and others spoke on the occasion. Later, the chief minister unveiled the plaque to formally inaugurate the Forests Dak Bungalow in Shogran. said, fishermen do not fish in the area where the ship has grounded. He said the latest situation regarding the oil tanker has been communicated to International Tankers Association, Federal Government, Ministry of Environment in Islamabad, the provincial environment department, the Fisheries Department and Maritime Security Agency (MSA). Ahmed Hayat said the oil may also spill along the coastline in the Clifton and Defence area, but concerted efforts will be made to minimise environmental pollution. Sindh Chief Secretary Mutawakkal Kazi and Sindh Inspector General of Police Syed Kamal Shah have expressed their concern over the sudden development and have warned the citizens not to visit the beaches until further orders. Police and Rangers have been deployed at beaches to stop people from going into seawater. Sindh Chief Minister's Adviser on Environment and Alternate Energy Faisal Malik said that 30 percent of the ship had sunk and it might split from the centre in the next 12 to 15 hours. In that case, he said, Port Qasim and Steel Mills would also be affected. Sindh Chief Minister's Adviser on Information and Archives Salahuddin Haider on Wednesday visited Clifton area and witnessed the oil slick flowing from the foreign oil ship, grounded near Karachi Port. A provincial government handout issued here said that the adviser during his visit said that the ship "Tasman Spirit", which had started cracking might lead to a severe environmental threat to beaches around Clifton and Defence areas of the city. He advised the people to desist from visiting the beaches until they were declared safe for the visitors.
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