The Senate panel on States and Frontiers Regions (Safron) has demanded the government to increase the salaries of Levies and Khasadar forces personnel-an organ of law enforcement agencies-as they are getting only Rs 2,600, while militants are paid Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per month.
The Senate Standing Committee on Safron, which met here on Monday with Senator Hafiz Rashid Ahmed in the chair, said that the government should increase the salaries of the personnel working in these two agencies, as well as they should be provided with training and modern equipment. 'The militants are equipped with the latest weapons, whereas the personnel of Levies and Khasadar forces have outdated arms, which are insufficient to forcefully retaliate militants,' Rashid added.
The committee also stressed the need for a complete roadmap focussing on restoring peace and writ of government in Fata, and aiming at speedy development of the area. Peace in Fata is linked to the peace in Pakistan and the whole South Asian region at large, it must figure prominently in our priorities, it observed.
The prevailing circumstances allow no slackness in our approach towards Fata as the stakes are too high. The committee appreciated the recent decision by the government to allow political activities in the area, however, it observed that the elected representatives should be consulted prior to take any decision on the development of the area.
The meeting also demanded that development funds for Fata must not only be increased manifold, but their timely release should also be ensured so that the ongoing development schemes may not suffer. It also said that the government should not rely entirely on the donor agencies for the development of the area, instead it should provide funds to the ongoing uplift projects from PSDP as well.
Earlier, additional chief secretary Fata and senior officials of the Fata secretariat briefed the committee on the ongoing development projects in the tribal region. They cited paucity of funds as the major reason for non completion of majority of development projects, as these are stranded half-way partially due to deteriorating security environment and inadequate funds.
They said that the situation could be improved drastically if they were brought under the fold of PSDP. They requested at least money stipulated in the Kerry-Lugar Bill should be provided to Fata Development Authority for accelerating the pace of development there.
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