Development in mind: Governor announces Rs1.8b for FATA projects

Says objective of all projects should be to improve quality of life in tribal belt.


Our Correspondent February 06, 2015
The governor said there was a need to evaluate each and every project. PHOTO: EXPRESS

PESHAWAR: Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has announced Rs1.8 billion for development projects in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies.

Chairing a meeting at the Governor House on Friday to review the performance of the FATA Secretariat’s Directorate of Projects, Planning and Development, he said the main objective of every project should be to improve the quality of life in the militancy and poverty-hit tribal belt.

The governor emphasised planning should be based on the needs of the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Mehtab also asked authorities to play an effective role and conduct field visits on a regular basis to identify the strengths, weaknesses and achievements of ongoing projects. Moreover, he instructed authorities to complete the projects before June 30.



Mehtab was given a detailed briefing from officials of the FATA Secretariat. Also present during the meeting were FATA Additional Chief Secretary Azam Khan, Principal Secretary to Governor Dr Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam and others.

The governor said there was a need to evaluate each and every project. He urged the active involvement of the respective political authorities in each tribal agency.

The governor was also briefed on donor assistance, projects in the pipeline and the monitoring mechanism. It was mentioned that coordination for external economic and technical assistance from donor agencies was possible through the federal government.

The Post Crisis Needs Assessment (PCNA) was discussed during the meeting. In addition, the role of other donor agencies such as Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and Tribal Areas Rural to Urban Centre Conversion Initiative (TARUCCI) also came up.

The governor was told 84% of the funds for development projects in Fata were provided by the government of Pakistan, while the MDTF contributed 16%.

He urged the international community to come forward and focus on work that can benefit the people of the tribal areas. Mehtab added standards and models for projects should be examined and their positive points noted to avoid errors and mistakes. He said the people of Fata could not wait any longer and assessment was needed on an urgent basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.

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