PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finalised three-year economic development plan for tribal districts under which 55 schemes in different sectors worth Rs16 billion will be completed in North Waziristan and 57 schemes worth Rs24 billion will executed in South Waziristan.

After completion, these projects will promote economic activities in the districts and provide job opportunities to local people.

The provincial government has also approved a project worth Rs7.8 billion for the beautification of urban areas and bazaars in merged districts. A master plan to provide clean drinking water to residents of these districts will be also approved by the relevant forum next week.

An official statement issued here on Thursday that Provincial Task Force for Merged Areas discussed the three years plan. Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired the meeting. The cabinet members, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Faiz Hameed and senior officers of the relevant departments attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed matters related to development projects, administrative measures, law and order and other issues of the merged districts with special focus on North and South Waziristan tribal districts.

The forum was informed that in the last meeting 29 public issues were identified in South Waziristan out of which 17 were resolved and 11 would be resolved as per stipulated timelines.

Similarly, 27 public issues were identified in North Waziristan out of which 13 were resolved and work on 14 issues was in progress. All the government offices have been established in merged districts on makeshift basis whereas land acquisition is in progress for construction of these facilities on permanent basis.

A project for construction of district and tehsil complexes in tribal districts has also been approved. A special project has been initiated for land settlement in merged areas. The PC-Is of two separate projects have been approved to promote tourism in merged districs.

Legislation has been completed for regularisation of 3,477 project employees of erstwhile Fata. More than18,000 police personnel in merged districts have completed training whereas training of the remaining police personnel will be completed by June this year. Procurement of arms and vehicles for police is also in progress.

The meeting was told that 715 new positions were approved to strengthen counter terrorism department in tribal districts. The meeting agreed to have close coordination between civil and military officials to maintain law and order, timely resolve public issues and expedite work on developmental projects in merged districts.

The chief minister, on the occasion, directed the authorities to ensure progress on all development schemes in merged districts as per stipulated timeline. He said that laxity or delay in that regard would not be tolerated.

He also directed the deputy commissioners to expedite land acquisition process for establishment of government offices in their respective districts. He ordered them to implement government’s policy regarding posting and transfer in letter and spiri.

The chief minister directed the cabinet members to visit tribal districts on regular basis and hold consultative sessions with local people to know their issues. He asked the authorities to identify suitable land for establishment of industrial estate in North Waziristan.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2022