By Khalid Kheshgi
Speaking at a news conference after holding a meeting with parliamentary party leaders and politicians at the Chief Minister’s House Tuesday, Hoti announced the priority areas for spending this money. “We have evolved a consensus that bulk of the amount will be utilized in revenue-generating sectors like hydel-power generation, oil and gas, minerals and tourism,” he said.
The chief minister, who was flanked by senior ministers Rahimdad Khan and Bashir Bilour, said special laws to deal with militancy-related cases were on the cards under which the court would dispose of cases within weeks. “We have made amendments to the existing laws for which some formalities are required,” he said and added that the law would be implemented to pave the way for quick disposition of militancy-related cases.
Hoti termed the payment of Rs110 billion as big achievement of the federal and provincial government. He said the NWFP government would continue its struggle for Rs127 billion mark-up amount on net hydropower profit.
“A proper mechanism for the remaining amount will be devised through a technical committee,” he said and added that the principal annual amount on net hydel-power profit would definitely be enhanced from Rs6 billion as mentioned in the arbitration award.
“The federal government has not only realised our role and sufferings as a frontline province in the war against militancy, but also accepted one of our long-standing demands for provincial rights,” he said while referring to the release of Rs 10 billion in next few days.
“We will not spend this huge amount on cosmetic benefits, but invest it in revenue generating sectors for our bright future,” he said and added that the provincial government would not ignore social sectors.
To a question, the chief minister said the militants had changed their strategy and instead of targeting government installations and security officials, they were now striking the public places to put pressure on the government to stop the ongoing offensive against them.
“The terrorists are targeting the general public and places to create fear and confusion,” the chief minister said. “The militants stand exposed to the general public who had once some sympathies for the groups who were using the name of religion,” he argued.
The chief minister did not rule out the involvement of foreign hand in the terrorist activities in the country. To another query, Hoti said the security personnel and investigative agencies could not share certain information with the media about the detained militants, as it would affect the investigation process.
He said the security position had improved to some extent in the province, but possibility of any terrorist act could not be ruled out in the province. “We are doing whatever is humanly possible for our internal security,” he added.
Ameer Hoti lauded the role of political parties, previous governments and public servants for the achievement of net hydropower profit arrears. He said the credit did not go to a single party or individual, but to collective efforts launched by all the political parties.