‘Over 1 million acres of land to be irrigated in K-P/FATA’

US consul general says country wants to do a lot for the people of the region

PESHAWAR: With a focus on uplifting the agricultural sector, USAID is trying to irrigate a million acres of land in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), said US Consul General Jon Danilowicz on Monday.

Danilowicz spoke to journalists for the first time after joining the Peshawar office in October 2014. He claimed the US aims to do a lot for the people of Fata.

Speaking to journalists, USAID Missions Director Greg Gottlieb and Deputy Director Missions Greg Huger said more than $1 billion has been spent by their organisation on the agriculture sector in K-P and Fata. He elaborated a three-phase project has been launched in the region starting from Kurram Tangi Dam and Gomal Zam Dam to promote farming in the private sector.

Giving details of projects in K-P and Fata, Gottlieb said USAID is working on energy, agriculture, education, health, gender equality and women’s empowerment. However, he reiterated that agriculture was the top priority.

Gottlieb explained that according to the projects 181,000 and 164,000 acres of land would be irrigated in central K-P and Fata, respectively. He added the remainder of the money would be distributed to other parts of the region with the help of the government.

Deputy Director Huger said every penny of the $5 billion funds approved by the US Congress for Pakistan must be spent for the uplift of the nation. “Whether there are troops in Afghanistan or not, we will remain here for development projects,” he assured. Huger pointed out that funds worth $500 million were released for K-P and Fata for rehabilitation in the aftermath of the 2010 floods.

Huger said apart from working in the agricultural sector, USAID is also helping war-affected people and the education sector by constructing 122 schools in Malakand division. “We are also providing technical assistance, post-harvest packages and many other facilities to local farmers.”

Huger said every call and complaint received from people has been acted upon and closely monitored. “Feedback from the common man is never ignored and is always acted upon, although it takes time,” he explained.

Talking about the displaced people from North Waziristan, Jon Danilowicz explained that around $40 million in aid has been pledged for IDPs in the first phase. He added USAID had expressed interest in taking on the responsibilities of rehabilitating around 20 to 25% of them. This would include rebuilding houses, sanitation, constructing of roads, public buildings and private installations. “Pakistan is in a big transition phase and we will continue our support,” he concluded.