PESHAWAR, Feb 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has sanctioned a Rs7.5 billion uplift package for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), NWFP Minister for Excise and Taxation Aminullah Khan Gandapur stated.

He was speaking at a ceremony organized by the employees of Fata Development Corporation, said a press release issued on Sunday.

The minister said that no employee of the corporation would be rendered jobless or sent to the surplus pool. Those employees, who would voluntarily opt for retirement, would be awarded the golden handshake.

Mr Gandapur said the government was pursuing comprehensive policies, so that a permanent solution to the problems could be found. He maintained that the corporation would remain functional, however, necessary changes would be made in it to streamline the department.

Earlier, Fata Development Corporation Employees Union President Niaz Mohammad Afridi in his address of welcome had pointed out problems the employees facing, and urged the government to solve them on priority basis.