40,000 houses of Karak, Hangu to get gas facility

PESHAWAR: As many 40,000 houses of the southern districts of Karak and Hangu will get gas facility in phases and infrastructure development program costing Rs7 billion.

Out of this 4 billion will be provided by the provincial government while the rest will be generated though the system for which modalities will be worked out by the federation and the company concerned.

The decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak and Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad, said a handout.

Provincial Minister Muhammad Atif Khan, Member National Assembly Dr. Imran Khattak. Sheheryar Afridi and relevant federal and provincial authorities also attended the meeting. It was decided that 40,000 houses will be provided the gas facility gradually. In the first phase houses within the radius of 5km from the gas wells will have the facility. The same will be extended to the rest of target areas in the second and third phase.

The participants of the meeting were told the gas development surcharge would be increased to generate additional funds to complete the task within the stipulated period. This will be over and above of the existing Rs 3.4 billion levy.

The chief minister said provision of gas facility was the right of the people of the area, adding this project should be completed within two years. He urged the authorities concerned to control the gas theft.

Pervez Khattak said funds would be provided on priority basis to ensure timely completion of the project. He added efforts would be made for the infrastructure development of less developed areas to ensure rapid socio-economic development and creation of employment opportunities for the people of the area.