NWFP adopts resolution on Ghazi Brotha profit

PESHAWAR—NWFP Assembly through a resolution passed with majority vote Wednesday demanded net profit on the power generation from Ghazi Brotha Project and asked the federal government not to initiate projects, which created hatred among the province.
Bashir Ahmad Bilour; parliamentary leader of ANP, Abdul Akbar Khan PPP-Parliamentarian and Israr-ul-Haq of MMA presented the joint resolution was approved by all members except Saeed Khan of PML-Q, who exchanged harsh words with the mover.
The water of the Ghazi Brotha Project had been created through changing the direction of the water of the province, the resolution said, which was liable to the forcible occupation of the water resources of the Frontier province. It said that federal government had intentionally established the power station of the Ghazi Brotha project power station in Punjab to earn net profit for Punjab.
It said that the people of the Frontier province had offered sacrifices for it but without the payment of any net profit to them. Similarly, it said, the water from Galliyat had been supplied to Murree without taking the province into confidence. The Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan suspended Rule No.240 of the proceedings of the house to allow the movers to table the resolution under Rule No.124 of the assembly.
Earlier, speaking on his adjournment motion, Bashir Ahmad Bilour said that the water of Ghazi Brotha project was being supplied to Islamabad through a 6 feet and 8 inches pipeline, which, he opined, was injustice with the province and negation of the unanimously passed resolution in 2004.
The federal government, he charged is owning the agreement of the provision of water to Tehsil Ghazi of district Haripur. NWFP Minister for Irrigation, Hafiz Akhtar Ali said that the matter raised by Bilour is important, saying that Water Accord of 1991 has guaranteed share of NWFP in the water resources of the province.
He said that Ghazi Brotha Power Project big injustice with the people of the province, saying 55000-cusec water was diverted to Punjab for establishment of power station.
Akhtar Ali said that the provincial government has calculated the share of the water resources used by other province. NWFP owes Rs.65 billion against federal government and other provinces against the use of its water resources. “The water either used for drinking purpose or for irrigation, but no one would be allowed to snatch the water resources right of the province,” he added.
Abdul Majid Khan of MMA recalled the sacrifices rendered by the people of district Swabi for the construction of Turbela Dam and called for initiation of development projects to compensate them. Abdul Akbar Khan of PPP said that the payment of net profit to NWFP on Ghazi Brotha Power Project was the right of the province, but due to the establishment of the powerhouse of the project it was given to Punjab. He said that NWFP should be paid net profit in proportion to its sacrifices and damages.
NWFP Assembly Wednesday through resolution with majority vote condemned the government for not allowing MMA leaders to enter into Bajuar Agency, who were visit the agency to offer condolence with the bereaved families of 80 victims of the air-strikes.
On a point of order MPA Mohammad Amin Khan informed the provincial assembly, which met with the speaker Bakhat Jehan Khan in the chair, that the MMA leaders including Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Sirajul Haq, MNA Maulana Shujaul Mulk and others had left for Bajuar Agency to offer condolence with the bereaved families of the Bajaur incident, but the government stopped them and did not allow them to enter Bajaur agency.
He said that in a democratic country an individual had usurped all the basis human rights, which was illegal and unconstitutional, adding that even the media people were also not allowed for the coverage of the event to show the people real facts. MPA Amanat Shah of MMA said that stopping leaders from offering condolence with their Muslim brothers was a condemnable act.—Agencies