Media Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shiraz Paracha Thursday said that the provincial government is going to launch a vigorous struggle for uncapping the net-hydel profit (NHP) paid to the province by Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). Talking to journalists here during his visit to Peshawar Press Club (PPC) Thursday, he said that the province is receiving very less amount in head of net profit on electricity produced in the province.
He said that after new calculations, the figures of the amount would increase manifold. He said that formal campaign in this regard would be launched within a few months. He said that the provincial government is working on a plan for tapping the hydropower potentials of the province and would start microfinance power projects. For this purpose, he said the provincial government is also making efforts for bringing cut in the time-period required for the preparation of feasibility reports of hydel power projects.
The advisor to the chief minister said that the preparation of feasibility reports, which was earlier taking a period of 72 months would now be cut down to half and even further declined. He said that study of hydel power projects is continued while the government is concentrating on initiating micro-hydel projects. The completion of hydel power projects, he said would help increase the proportion of hydel power in the electricity mix of the country and decline in the price of power tariff.
He said that the donor conference held in Islamabad was a big achievement as 13 developed countries and donors not only appreciated the transparent policies of the provincial government, but also announced extending provision of assistance in health, education, energy and communication sectors. He said that the provincial government is also focusing on the preservation of the culture heritage of the province and considering the utilisation of Balhisar Fort on the pattern of Lahore Fort for recreation.
He said the provincial government has also launched campaign against encroachments while huge plantation would be carried out in upcoming spring under its clean and green Peshawar plan.
Regarding security situation, he said that the provincial government is making all out efforts and for this purpose has given free hand to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Nasir Durrani. He said that the provincial government had learnt a lot from recent three terrorist attacks in the city.
He said that the two important officers including Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs, Akhtar Ali Shah and provincial police chief have recently joined the team of the provincial government. He said that the new IGP has been posted with the special efforts of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and is an expert on counter-terrorism. He said that the IGP was discharging the same responsibility in Punjab. He was of the view that with the posting of these two officers situation is rapidly improving.
The advisor to the chief minister said the chief minister during a meeting had accepted all demands of the provincial police chief, which particularly include sniffer dogs and acquiring the services of the trained persons for their handling. He said that the provincial government is also establishing a big monitoring room, which will be connected with CCTV recordings. Similarly, he said the repatriation of the platoons of Frontier Constabulary (FC) deployed in other provinces has also been started. He said that the repatriated FC personnel will be deployed on borders with tribal belt. Furthermore, he said that the wall around Hayatabad Township is also being repaired.
Shiraz Paracha also said that for initiating of targeted operation, Peshawar has been divided into four zones. He said the targeted operation would be carried jointly by police and Rapid Police Force (RPP). He said that in these matters the provincial police chief was fully active and given a free hand and all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are co-ordinating and are on the same page.
