The Ministry of Water and Power has sought clarification from Wapda Chairman about reported payment of $15,000 to a western newspaper for an interview, likely to be published in April, sources close to Joint Secretary Admin Yousif Memon told Business Recorder. "Yes, we have written a letter to Wapda Chairman, seeking clarification for paying huge amount to the newspaper for the interview," sources said.

They said that Wapda chief, Tariq Hamid, has major differences with some high-ranking officials of Ministry of Water and Power who were opposing him at different levels. However, the Chairman recently apprised Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz about the attitude of Ministry officials.

A three-member team of the said newspaper also conducted interview of Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi and asked for advertisement of about $30,000, but the Minister refused to accommodate the team, saying that his ministry had no funds for this purpose. The team, however, was active to take ads from Petroleum Ministry and its attached oil and gas companies, National Highway Authority (NHA) and other bodies.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005