Distribution of relief funds in ex-FATA: Senate body terms survey 'inadequate'

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) on Tuesday termed the survey conducted for distribution of relief funds in the terror-hit areas of former FATA as "inadequate", observing that even today, thousands of victims are waiting for help as they are neither covered under the survey nor included in the official census.

The committee met with Taj Muhammad Afridi in the chair here on Tuesday, which observed that emergency measures should have been taken for the rehabilitation of the victims, their return with respect and resumption of their daily life. The committee was informed by the representatives of the victims in Khyber, North and South districts.

Representatives of the victims from Waziristan and other tribal districts said the ground realities are very different from the official figures. Thousands of families have either returned to their areas with their own help and others are still living in camps and struggling. The committee was apprised of the details of the action taken by the concerned authorities to compensate the victims.

The committee reiterated that the victims have made sacrifices for the country and the nation and their voices will be raised at every forum. Senator Aurangzeb Khan Orakzai suggested that the committee should visit the affected areas, and listen to the affected families on the spot, so that the situation can be better assessed and recommendations can be made in this light.

Senator Usman Kakar said that the loss of the people of FATA is in billions. He suggested that the survey process should be extended to the whole of FATA, and the survey process should be expedited. The committee directed to seek details of the total losses incurred, the total estimate of the demolished markets, the assistance provided by the government and other related details.

Kakar said that the NADRA data is authentic with reference to family and family members and institutions should ensure distribution of relief funds among families as per NADRA data. Afridi directed that immediate contact be made with the deputy commissioners and heads of District Administration of the concerned districts.

The victims are facing difficulties and the agencies need to work seriously on this public issue on an urgent basis. He directed the concerned secretary to visit the affected areas in collaboration with the district administration and alleviate the problems of the victims.

Afridi pointed out that the victims are still protesting at Bab-e-Khyber and the victims have been waiting for a hearing there for the last one and a half months. He said that the IDPs had left their homes in a state of disarray and it was the duty of government agencies to assist them.

Regarding regularisation of ad hoc and contract employees, the committee said that these employees have been working in various positions for years but no steps have been taken to make them permanent. The committee directed the authorities concerned to reconsider their position and take steps to make the contract employees permanent.

The committee was briefed by the SNGPL officials on the gas supply projects in the former FATA. The chairman of the committee asked the SNGPL what steps have been taken to provide gas connections. Afridi said that with the sanction of Rs6.5 billion, approval has been given for the supply of gas in the tribal districts but no significant progress has been seen so far and it is regrettable.

Orakzai said that only Lower Orakzai has been surveyed in Orakzai, while Upper Orakzai has been left out. He suggested that all districts should be surveyed. The committee chairman said that instructions were given to prepare feasibility report of all the districts of the former FATA.

The committee called for a detailed report in this regard, and said that the people should not be deprived of this basic facility and work on it should be intensified. Tesco officials briefed the standing committee on the steps taken to upgrade the grid stations, install new feeders and improve the power transmission system.

The meeting was attended by senators, Aurangzeb Khan, Shamim Afridi, Mohsin Aziz, Anwar Lal Din, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar besides secretary SAFRON, provincial officials, tribal elders, and other officials concerned.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020