Money matters: Officials stress on judicious spending for FATA

Workshop held on financial management, accountability.

PESHAWAR: Additional Chief Secretary Arbab Muhammad Arif has urged the financial managers of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to ensure judicious spending of every rupee meant for the wellbeing of the people.

While addressing the second workshop on Public Financial Management and Accountability Assessment held by the World Bank on Monday, Arif said it was time to work hard for change in Fata. “We need to make sure that each rupee coming in is spent on the betterment of the people.”



Arif expressed hope the suggestions made at the workshop would help the FATA Secretariat design a future road map.

In his opening address, World Bank Senior Governance Specialist Sher Shah Khan said the management of the FATA Secretariat deserves appreciation for leading the public financial management process. More than 100 countries are following the Public Expenditure Financial Assessment, he said, adding that it is purely evidence-based and that the framework is very clear about the criteria.

“You, the financial managers, are the best judges of evidence, so please make sure that all resources are utilised for the best delivery of service,” Khan said.

Fata Finance Secretary Syed Waqarul Hassan, Planning & Development Secretary Zahir Shah, among other officials, were present on the occasion.

The first workshop of the series was held on December 18. Two more workshops are scheduled for January.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2013.