ISLAMABAD: The government has completed the survey of damage caused to the houses of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) because of fighting there. The affected people will be compensated according to the extent of damage.

According to the government decision, those IDPs whose houses have been destroyed will be provided Rs400,000 and the owners of damaged houses will get Rs110,000.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Senate functional committee on less developed areas on Monday.

The committee was informed that an amount of Rs19.9 billion had already been paid to affected people and about 80 per cent IDPs had returned to their homes.

Chairman of the committee Senator Mohammad Usman Khan Kakar presided over the meeting.

Mr Kakar said that developing backward areas was the constitutional responsibility of the government, adding that it was continuously violated. Less developed areas of the country were deliberately kept deprived of facilities, he said.

The chairman of the committee said inadequate funds were earmarked for the backward areas of Balochistan and Fata in schemes included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Not only this, the release of these funds is also delayed as a result of which the cost of projects increased several times. Some unapproved projects were included in these schemes which put a further burden on the finances, he added.

Citing an example, Senator Kakar said that a paltry amount had been kept for the construction of 100 small dams in Balochistan. It is not possible to build these dams with the allocated funds. The same is the case with development projects of tribal areas.

In response to the criticism, Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Masood said that the federal government could not do anything in some sectors. Executing small projects in provinces is the responsibility of provincial governments. The federal government is responsible only for providing funds for developing infrastructure of schemes related to water and power, etc.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...