Khalil links power supply to Fata with meters

PESHAWAR—NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman has once again made it clear that in FATA provision of electricity was subject to installation of meters and payment of dues, adding the govt. was ready to provide the utility to every consumer if the conditions were fulfilled.
This he said while talking to a Jirga of elders of FR Peshawar, which called on him at the Governor’s House here on Monday. Dr. Nasim Afridi MNA headed the Jirga whereas Secretary FATA Shahzad Arbab and Secretary to Governor Arbab Mohammad Arif were also present on the occasion. Members of the jirga apprised the Governor of the development requirements of the respective areas. They particularly asked for enhanced education and health facilities in the area. Responding to the demands regarding provision of electricity, the Governor said policy of the govt. in this regard was very much clear. However the situation with regard to continuous power shut down and low voltage could be sorted out with PESCO and TESCO authorities.
Regarding meterisation the Governor noted with satisfaction that in certain parts of the agencies like Kurram, Bajaur, and even Jamrud and Landikotal the situation has improved, adding the tribesmen should realize that the government was no more in position to extend this widely consumed utility without payment or with subsidized tariff.
He said a workable formula for flat rate could be worked out in consultation with the stakeholders. As regard health and education facilities the Governor said both these were the govt.’s priority areas in FATA. He was of the opinion that the primary healthcare network must be expanded to have at least a dispensary at even the smallest village level. He said, the Govt. has already equipped the Agency and Tehsil headquarters hospital with all the latest medical facilities, where the shortage of specialist doctors and other relevant was also being removed.
Regarding the healthcare facilities in the FR Peshawar it was told on the occasion that five dispensaries were already functional whereas 4 more would be added during the current financial year. As regard the demand about upgradation of a BHU to the status of hospital, the Governor assured the jirga that feasibility would be studied. Similarly he also assured the elders of FR Peshawar that possibility of up gradation of a boys and girls’ higher secondary school would also be explored. On another demand about telephone facilities, the Governor directed the officials to contact the PTCL authorities in this regard.
The Governor urged the tribal elders and Maliks to play their traditional role in maintaining their respective areas peaceful as well as purged of the anti-social and criminal elements. The tribal elders said that their area was as such peaceful. However they would extend full cooperation to the administration in the maintenance of peace. They thanked the Governor for giving a patient hearing and assuring the fulfillment of their genuine and feasible demands. —INP