 ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed for payment of Rs one billion on Friday by the Ministry of Finance for payment of compensation to the affected families of sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency.Talking to FATA parliamentary delegation, at PM House, he said the government would also make utmost efforts to spare funds for early socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Tribal Areas.The Prime Minister also directed for setting up a committee comprising Minister for Finance, three representatives from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) parliamentarians, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Secretary to the Prime Minister to develop a mechanism for quick processing of FATA development projects.
Gilani observed that lack of coordination among the Ministries and line departments is the main cause of delay in launching of development schemes in FATA region.
He also ordered the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister to depute an officer for monitoring the progress of development projects launched in the Tribal Areas.
The Prime Minister asked the parliamentarians to work out collectively on a master development plan to bring about progress and prosperity to the whole tribal belt, with public welfare schemes.
He apprised the Parliamentarians about some of the mega projects like universities, cadet college, thermal power projects, new grid stations, dams and roads which will be included in the next year's development budget for the FATA region.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for unconditional support of the government's coalition partners belonging to FATA region.
He also expressed his profound grief over the sad incident of Shabqadar this morning and directed the Minister for Interior to take appropriate measures to stop recurrence of such incidents.
Mir Khan Orakzai, leader of FATA parliamentarians, thanked the Prime Minister for his keen and sincere interest in resolution of the problems of FATA.
He said keeping in view the Prime Minister's unprecedented attention towards betterment of the people of Tribal Areas, all the FATA parliamentarians will continue to support the government.
Haji Muneer Orakzai also discussed the issues regarding delay in release of funds and unemployment. He pointed out that most of the development funds released by this democratic government were being spent on the completion of the projects announced by the previous regimes.
He requested the Prime Minister to direct the FATA secretariat that development schemes submitted by the parliamentarians may also be given priority.
The parliamentarians thanked the Prime Minister for setting up a committee to expedite the processing of development schemes of the FATA region. They also appreciated release of Rs. one billion for compensation of the affected families of Kurram Agency and said it would help the affected people overcome their losses.
The meeting was attended by Senators Engr. Rashid Ahmed Khan, Haji Khan Afridi, Hafiz Rasheed Ahmed, Abdul Raziq, Eng. Shaukat Ullah Khan, Minister for SAFRON and MNAs Malik Bilal Rehman, Sajid Hussain Turi, Haji Muneer Khan Orakzai, Jawad Hussain, Muhammad Kamran Khan,Maulana Noor ul Haq Qadri, Hamidullah Jan Afridi and Zafar Baig Betanni.
|
