Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday was updated on development activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) when a detailed presentation was given to him here at the Governor's House during his maiden visit as Prime Minister.
Secretary to Governor Sahibzada Muhammad Saeed briefed the Prime Minister in depth on the vision and multi-dimensional development strategy 2004-05.
The Prime Minister was briefed about geographical profile of Fata, socio-economic indicators, key challenges, sector-wise development activities, monitoring and capacity building and issues confronting the tribal belt.
The briefing was attended among others by NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Retd), deputy chairman Khalilur Rehman, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Minister for Safron Yar Muhammad Rind, federal ministers Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Amanullah Khan Jadoon , State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Miss Anisazeb, state ministers Omar Ayub Khan, Engr. Amir Muqaam, and PML secretary-general Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.
Giving comparison of previous five years, Fata ADP Sahibzada Saeed said in 2000-01, the development outlay of the tribal agencies was Rs 2,164 million which jumped to Rs 4,800 million in 2004-05 with main focus on promotion of education, health facilities, communication network, agriculture, irrigation and clean drinking water.
He listed over 60 percent population lived below poverty line, three percent literacy rate particularly among females, rigidity of the tribal system, huge gender disparity, weak institutional capacities, local conflicts and fewer opportunities for income and employment as key challenges facing the Fata region.
The Prime Minister was informed that the government is following accelerated social and economic development in tribal areas to bring it into the national mainstream of development.
The introduction of a new governance paradigm, administrative, judicial and financial reforms are underway in Fata, he said, adding, reforms in social sector with special emphasis on poverty reduction through income-generating schemes are being mulled.
The Prime Minister was told that the government has accelerated access to administrative and social reforms in the recently opened up areas in tribal agencies.
He told that the government has approved a package of Rs 12 billion to bring rapid improvement in the security environment through reorganisation of law-enforcement agencies.
Giving sector-wise break up, he said education topped the priority list for which 22 percent of the total development outlay has been earmarked during the current fiscal followed by communications with 21 percent, irrigation (12 percent), health (10.6 percent), drinking water (6.3 percent), and agriculture (5 percent).
The government would spend Rs 255 million on the provision of state-of-art equipment in the health institutions of Fata during 2004-05.
Each agency will have standard sports stadium, he said, adding, provision of free books and uniforms, furniture for high schools and colleges and construction of hostels for working women under progress in Fata.
The Prime Minister was further told that construction work on mega Shalman water supply project costing Rs 326 million would commence from this year.
Similarly, two small dams have been constructed in Fata while six are under construction. The feasibility study of nine small dams is under way in Fata.
The water reservoir projects in Fata would increase per acre yield as Rs 480 million has been set aside for the same in the ADP 2004-05.
About achievements in road network, the Prime Minister was informed that 552 kilometers long communication schemes would be taken in hands in 2004-05.
Similarly, in power sector two grid stations would be established in Fata besides electrifying 51 villages.
He was told that to ensure judicious utilisation of development funds and standard of construction work, a comprehensive monitoring system has been established.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister made certain queries especially about section of sites schools and wished that all development activities should be carried out in Fata with the public participation so that they could be benefited.