Pre-budget workshop: Tribesmen give input on service delivery initiatives

Participants from Mohmand Agency gave suggestions regarding health, education, governance, agriculture, besides others

PESHAWAR:

The fourth consultative workshop to discuss the development budget for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) for 2014 to 2015 was held at Peshawar Club on Wednesday.

The workshop was organised by the Implementation Support Unit and the Planning and Development Department of the FATA Secretariat, stated a press release. Participants from Mohmand Agency gave suggestions regarding health, education, governance, agriculture, and irrigation, besides others.

Appreciating demands of the tribesmen for improved service delivery, FATA Planning and Development Secretary Shahzad Khan Bangash said the tribal people should raise their voice against corruption, malpractices and unjust distribution of resources at every forum.

“We cannot bring a revolution in a day but will try to shape next year’s budget in accordance to your demands,” said Bangash.

Additional Secretary Khalid Ilyas assured participants that their problems of industrial workers have been noted and will be conveyed to the high-ups. Earlier, tribal elders, political activists and students had said that although they have health and education services, it is not benefiting the general public. They claimed these facilities were being provided keeping in mind only a few people the government was trying to please while the masses were being ignored.

Political interference in recruitment, postings and transfers was another issue that surfaced during the interactive session. Tribesmen demanded preference should be given to locals as recruits from other districts did not perform the job with the same zeal.

It was stated that the process of consultation will go on and such workshops for residents of other tribal agencies will be held in days to come.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2014.