Demanding rights: PTI MPA seeks royalties from centre for Warsak Dam

Says the people of his constituency should have a claim over the area’s resources.


Our Correspondent April 15, 2014
Says the people of his constituency should have a claim over the area’s resources. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Mehmood Jan on Monday urged the federal government to provide royalties from Warsak Dam to the people of the area.

Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Jan took strong exception to Abid Sher Ali’s earlier remarks to block 11 feeders over power theft and non-payment of electricity bills.

“Almost half the families in my constituency are not paying their bills as they aren’t getting any royalty from the Warsak Dam by the federal government,” said Jan. He added there were several issues due to which people were reluctant to pay their bills, claiming negotiations were under way to make them pay their dues but the government had to acknowledge their rights.

He said the most pressing demand of the people of his area was to have claims over natural resources of the locale. The MPA said the federal government should now accept their rights and install electricity meters instead of issuing threats to suspend electricity to the poor.

More than 5,000 families will be affected in Jan’s constituency alone if electricity supply is suspended, argued the lawmaker. “We will block electricity transmission lines to Punjab if the supply to any of the feeders is cut off,” warned Jan.

He said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) produces 6,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity and consumed hardly 2,000 MW. “It is Punjab that is leading in electricity theft, followed by other provinces,” alleged the irked MPA.

Jan said the provincial government was working on several power generation projects, and in the next two years should further produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2014.

COMMENTS (2)

Hasan | 9 years ago | Reply

If these seems legitamate. Then Karachi which funds 85 % of country's economy asks for its due share, not even royality, just give its due share, why does that spark fear for all other parties. Dams are natural resources, belonging to federal government. Royalities should not even be a matter of debate here. Every one must pay there dues or face termination in services.

Aalu | 9 years ago | Reply

Seems Legitimate. He is asking for royalty and new electric meters to be put up. Not for free electricity, PESCO do your job!

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