Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak asked the Federal Government to expedite work on Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other mega hydro-power generation projects, instead of wasting time in construction of controversial power projects like Kalabagh Dam. “We had already opposed the construction of the controversial KBD, would not support any such project, which will be constructed without consultation of all the Federating Units, he told media persons here in district Nowshera on Sunday. He said the media misreported his statements regarding the controversial KBD, saying that he has always shown his opposition over construction of Kalabagh Dam and stance couldn’t be altered.
The construction of Kalabagh Dam is not a workable and feasible, as three provinces also shown their opposition and passed resolutions against this controversial project. He emphasised the Federal Government should concentrate for expediting construction work on Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other hydro-power generation project. “We had wasted time on controversial projects, which caused immensely shortages of electricity and created energy crisis in the country, Chief Minister said. Pervez Khattak informed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would invite tenders from local and international firms for the construction of 21 megawatt projects, which are including hydro-power generation and solar energy along with wind power. The government would extend its hydro-electric generation plan in the next year with generation of huge quantum of electricity in the province, he added.
He said the new job opportunities would be created after the initiation of several hydro-power development projects. He said the KP government plan to construct new industrial estates and would take steps for revival of sick industries in the province, which can usher in a new era of development and an end of joblessness.
Regarding the recent meeting with the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, he said the Federal Minister assured to supply required quota to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and to end the forced and announced load shedding. He said that government would fully materialise its commitment regarding holding local bodies’ elections in the province, after reviewing thoroughly the existing Local Government Ordinance. He informed that process would be expedited to make immediate legislation in this regard. According to PTI manifesto, he said the provincial government is committed to bring the power to the grass-roots level and elimination of corruption in works and communication, irrigation, local government, public health and commission mafia in these departments.
He informed that tenders will be issued for hiring consultants for this purpose to keep construction work of the all development project as per international standard, particularly ensure transparency and fairness in tendering process. He further added the old system of funds would be replaced with transparent one.
Regarding the upcoming by-elections, he informed that the PTI would again emerge as strong political force in the by-polls in the province. The Party has fully prepared in this regard, he added. He said that government would ensure provision of funds and supply of electricity to all constituencies, where the by-elections are going to be held on August 22, he assured. In these constituencies, he said all developmental projects would be completed before the holding of by-elections. He said government would ensure to conduct upcoming by-elections in transparency and fairness.
