Environmental degradation is costing Pakistan about Rs 365 billion annually, and collective efforts are needed for conservation of the ecosystem. Dr Hammad Uwais Agha, the NWFP Secretary Environment, said this while speaking at a seminar organised by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in connection with the World Environment Day here on Friday.

NWFP govt has decided formulation of another industrial policy for the province to attract domestic and foreign investors for industrial development rather than the present one promulgated by the previous government.

Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Parvez Ashraf has said that 4.5 billion dollars are being invested in power generation sector to add 4000 megawatt electricity to the system and overcome power crisis by the end of the current calendar year.

The government of NWFP is likely to sell the 18-mega watt electricity of the under construction Pehur Hydro Power Project (PHPP), District Swabi to private sector, sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday. The matter had been discussed in a meeting of Provincial Committee on Investment (PCOI), headed by the Chief Minister NWFP.