Provision for satellite imaging of projects in FATA be included in PC-1 proposals: President

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday directed that a provision for satellite imaging of the development projects in FATA be included in PC-1 proposals in the future for effective implementation and monitoring of various developmental projects undertaken in the tribal areas. He also asked for a detailed study of the command area on the state lands of dams being built in FATA for distribution among the poor women of the tribal agencies. The President gave these directions during a presentation given to him on FATA development through the normal Annual Development Plan (ADP), the World Bank administered Trust Fund and the USAID at the Presidency on Friday afternoon. The presentation was attended by Governor NWFP Owais Ahmad Ghani, Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen, Minster SAFRON Najmuddin Sheikh, Minster of State for Economic Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali, federal secretaries of the relevant ministries, Additional Chief Secretary FATA and other senior officials. From USAID and World Bank side Robert J. Wilson, Country Director USAID, Yusupha Crookes, Country Director World Bank and other officials participated in the meeting. Briefing the media about the meeting Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President also directed that a model developmental project be launched in a tribal agency on experimental basis on Alaskan model in which the local people are also made share-holders to give them incentive to protect and promote development projects in the tribal areas. Additional Chief Secretary FATA, during the presentation, spelling out the salient features of ADP 2009-10 said that the ADP size has been enhanced to Rs. 11.5 billion marking an increase of 36% over the ADP for 2008-09. Giving the details he informed the meeting that 90% of the allocation was meant for ongoing and 10% for the new schemes. The sectoral allocations were 31% for communications, 21% for education and 11% for health sectors, he informed during the briefing. The President said that the development strategy for FATA in the short term should be to improve both connectivity and social sector delivery. Babar said that Country Director USAID, Robert J. Wilson, while giving the presentation, informed that US government is the biggest donor through USAID providing over $ 400 million for livelihood development, and capacity building projects. He further informed that another nearly Rs. 3 billion is meant for building road projects, training and strengthening FATA levies. Contributions from other international donors include UK (Pounds 1 million), Japan ($ 6 million), Germany (Euros 15 million), Italy (Euros 7 million), ADB (Rs. 305 billion) for rural development and poverty alleviation, IFAD (Rs. 1.2 billion) and UN World Food Program ($ 16 million). The meeting was further informed that other major initiatives in FATA include Dandy Dam in North Waziristan Agency (Rs. 490 million), Darghai Pal Dam South Waziristan Agency (Rs. 313 million), Bara Dam (Rs. 14 billion), feasibility study for use of solar energy, detailed feasibility and design of 25 dams and establishment of Marble City in Mohmand Agency (Rs. 700 million). Country Director World Bank during the presentation informed that the World Bank Trust Fund for NWFP and FATA has been established with a view to complementing governments efforts to promote delivery of basic services and support livelihoods and development of basic infrastructure and services. Scope of the Fund is limited to NWFP, FATA and Balochistan, he informed. President said that military action in FATA was essential to wipe out terrorism and militancy. The President, however, emphasized that it was not the permanent solution and said that the military action must be followed by an aggressive development program to bring about a visible change in the socio-economic conditions of the people. Babar said that the President urged for ensuring transparency in all development works in order to achieve the objectives of good governance and to trickle down the benefits of the development to the people. Lack of opportunities and education in FATA has led the youth to be exploited by militant groups, the President said.