Calculation methods halting hydel profit payment: Asharf
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Asharf said on Monday that the controversy between WAPDA and the provincial government halted the payment of net hydel profit to the government of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Speaking in Senate on a point of order, the minister said the matter is sub-judice before the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Islamabad Civil Court and hoped that the two parties would resolve the problem amicably. He said the centre owes Rs 110 billion to the NWFP province besides annual amount of Rs 22 billion with 10 percent increase per annum.
He said the controversy between the WAPDA and the provincial government ignited over the methods to calculate net hydel profit. He said owing to the some complication, a tribunal agreed to gross annual payment of Rs22 billion with 10 percent increase, but the decision was opposed by WAPDA and consequently the two parties moved to courts against the decision. The Minister urged the stakeholders to resolve the matter amicably, however, he added that the matter cannot be discussed more as it was sub-judice before the court.
Earlier, Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour told the House that it was the bad intentions of the previous government that prolonged the matter. He demanded the government to withdraw the case and outstanding dues should be paid to the government of NWFP. Senator Abdur Rahim Mandokhel said according to a statistics, the centre owes Rs348 billion to the NWFP government. He said the government has not paid the net hydel profit to the province for last 24 years, demanding the immediate resolution of the problem by withdrawing the case. Taking part in the discussion, Senator Babar Ghauri claimed that previous government effectively tackled the issues of wheat shortage and oil prices.
“Now, the people are facing record price-hike as during the last one months prices of rice, wheat and petroleum products have gone beyond the control of common man,” he added. He suggested to utilize untapped mineral resources to meet challenge of price-hike and give relief to people. Babar Ghauri called for improving the economic conditions on war footings basis and encouraging the foreign and local investors to invest here.
Senator Liaqat Bangalzai pointed out that prices of food items especially the ghee, pulses, meat and petroleum products have been enhanced. He proposed to take concrete measures to strengthen economy and control price-hike in a bid to provide relief to poor.
Liaqat Bangalzai also recommended to trade in Euro and Pound Sterling alongside the US dollar.
He said the laborers are being paid meager wages which should be increased.
The women should be given their due share in the property, he added.
Senator Haroon Khan opined that free fall of rupee has devastated effects on the economy while the inter bank exchange rate of dollar is going up every day.
He said the freight charges and fair have increased and soaring prices of petroleum products, gas, power tariffs and agriculture inputs will have very negative effects on the economy.
The increasing prices of LPG, cement and steal has shattered the confidence of economy and market.
He said the government should take tangible steps to control the flight of currency abroad.
Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi claimed that poor were the worst sufferers owing to surging prices of food items and petroleum products.
He said the present government will have to take steps on emergency basis to control the situation as people are forced to commit suicide.
The government has been given mandate by the people in the general elections and it is responsible to control rising prices of petrol, electricity and food items.