Rs600mn development package for Swabi unveiled

RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has announced development package worth Rs.600 million for the development of district Swabi and said that fruits of completion of political and election manifesto will be extended to every nook and corner of the province.

He stated that while addressing a public meeting in district Swabi, he said that opponents should acknowledge successes of ANP and must remove strips of interests from their eyes.

Hoti said that legislation has been made for the utilisation of tobacco's cess on development of parent districts and added that Swabi has received Rs.620 million in this connection during the last three years. He said that resources will be provided for expansion of PEHUR High Level Canal and government special initiatives for elimination of unemployment, poverty and illiteracy will prove handy and vital.

The CM said that ANP, under the leadership of Asfandyar Wali Khan, has served Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in very challenging circumstances that has no precedence in the history of last 63 years. He said that time has changed now, the provincial government and its representatives were no more complaining scarcity of resources, added additional resources worth billion rupees were available in the provincial exchequer due to NFC award, provincial autonomy under 18th amendment and ownership of resources. He said these resources will be utilised for development of the province and prosperity of the province.

He said that net hydel profit will be utilised for production of electricity, added, foundation stones of five, six such projects will be laid soon. He said that previously province received Rs.350 million annually in connection with oil and gas royalty.

He further said oil and gas company has been established for utilising these resources on development of the province and its people. He said that the provincial budget had registered 80 percent increase for the first time, while this ratio remained low as 15, 10 and five percent in the past.

He announced that the present government is following the policy of self-reliance contrary to depending on foreign loans and has already rejected loans worth US$ 600 million. He said that foreign loans will be acquired for revenue generating projects only.