Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar has directed the SNGPL authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan for provision of natural gas to FATA adding that the whole FATA should be surveyed on technical grounds rather than selected areas.
"There should be a proper master plan, identifying the areas to be provided this common utility gradually and on priority basis", he stressed. Presiding over a meeting at Governor's House here on Wednesday to review the progress on the project of provision of gas to FATA under the Prime Minister's directive, the Governor emphasised that survey and feasibility should be simultaneously carried out, directing the FATA secretariat to ensure fool proof security and other assistance to the field staff.
Acting Additional Chief Secretary FATA Shah Sahib, Muhammad Haroon General Manager SNGPL Peshawar and Muhammad Ashraf Nadeem Chief Engineer SNGPL besides other officials of SNGPL attended the meeting. The Governor was also given a presentation on the progress so far made in this respect and was informed that 150 km each transmission and distribution line will be required to implement the Prime Minister's directive.
The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 3 billion as against the declared amount of Rs 1 billion. It was told on the occasion that certain areas have been surveyed with the required transmission and distribution network proposed including certain areas in FR Peshawar, Khyber Agency, FR Bannu, FR Lakki Marwat, FR Kohat and North Waziristan.
The Governor said that the security situation in FATA was now not that much alarming as was being perceived. "Security problem is more a perception than a reality", he said adding that the political administration will provide security and facilitate the survey teams in their respective jurisdictions.