FATA development outlay has been increased over the previous years as during current financial year Rs 15 billion is being incurred on development activities in FATA as compared to Rs 7.6 billion earmarked during 2006-07. This was revealed at 12th National Security Workshop of National Defence University Islamabad at Governor's House, here on Thursday.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Syed Masood Kausar was also present. Additional Chief Secretary FATA, Fazal Karim Khattak through a presentation briefed the participants about FATA's geographic profile, administrative set up, tribal customs and traditions, FCR, current security situation, efforts for curbing militancy, return and rehabilitation of IDPs from tribal areas.
Regarding government development strategy in FATA, the participants of the workshop were informed that more than 1000 development schemes were under implementation. The FATA Development Authority is separately working on mega development projects besides the projects being funded by donor countries and organisations. As far as IDPs are concerned, it was stated that some 186,597 families were displaced out of which 45,000 families have since returned to the areas of their origin. Similarly, 6000 families displaced in Mohmand Agency have also returned to their homes.
The governor while answering different questions said that restoration and maintenance of peace was the first priority along with development so as to provide opportunities to the tribesmen in the field of education, health and other social sectors besides employment and economic opportunities.