ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Monday deliberated upon supply of gas to the newly-merged tribal districts, and instructed the concerned department to expedite survey in the erstwhile FATA for supply of gas.

The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (Safron) was held at Parliament Lodges under the chairmanship of Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi, which discussed the matter in detail.

Briefing the committee, senior officials of the Ministry of SAFRON and concerned provincial departments told that two meetings have been held between the provincial government regarding the gas supply project in the former FATA districts and consultations have also taken place with secretaries Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Division, Planning and Finance and a roadmap has been prepared for the project.

The panel was told that survey was being conducted of South Waziristan, which was not in the package earlier, while a similar survey in Upper Orakzai was also being planned from September 23. It was informed that Bajaur has been surveyed and its cost wa Rs2.5 billion. The committee was informed that a new survey of Mohmand Orakzai and Khyber agencies had been conducted and feasibility had been shared and a package had been prepared.

It was further told that as soon as funds were available, work would be started on the project.

The panel was told that it was a Rs10 billion project, of which Rs3.2 billion would be provided by Sui Northern, while the share of the provincial government was Rs6.8 billion.

The committee was informed that the cost would be Rs2.6 billion for Khyber district, Rs3.5 billion for Mohmand, and Rs2.9 billion for Orakzai district.

Chairman of the Committee said that all the districts of the ex-FATA should be surveyed regarding the supply of gas, adding that the government should fulfill the promises made with the people of the erstwhile FATA.

He said that Rs10 billion was allocated under Accelerated Implementation Plan (AIP) for the newly-merged tribal districts, of which Rs6.5 billion was given but its fruits were not seen on the ground.

The committee was informed that the federal government was reluctant to provide funds and no funds were released this year, whereas less than half of the funds were received last year.

On which, the Committee called explanation from secretary Finance in its next meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020