PM keen to resolve NFC Award issue in Pakistan
By Shiraz Aslam - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday met the provincial finance ministers and members of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and discussed with them the broad guidelines for an amicable settlement of the Award.

The Prime Minister, during the meeting held at the PM House, said the Federal Government desires that the resources be distributed in equitable manner so that the pace of development is accelerated and the provinces have adequate resources at their disposal to meet developing and recurring needs.

This has to be accompanied by good governance and better implementation of development projects so that resources spent achieve the desired results, he added.

The members of the NFC said that they had useful discussions in a cordial atmosphere with a view to settle the matter in an amicable manner.

NWFP governor Khalil-ur-Rehman also called on Prime Minister. The Prime Minister talking to the Government renewed government's commitment to the speedy development of NWFP, particularly its tribal areas with a view to bringing these at par with rest of the country.

The Prime Minister said major focus of the government was on provision of basic necessities of life like electricity, gas and clean drinking water to the people in addition to improving the infrastructure especially roads and highways.

Referring to the recently concluded first two phases of the LB elections, the Prime Minister said the elections were an important landmark in the devolution agenda, initiated six years ago.

He expressed confidence that the next and final phase of these elections will also be fair and transparent and would provide the people with an opportunity to elect honest, hardworking and dedicated representatives who could make a difference in their every day lives.

The overall political situation and security environment in the province also came under discussion during the meeting●