May 19, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 18: The Border Area Trust Fund, comprising the government and international lenders, on Thursday decided to raise funds on a world-wide basis based on a need-assessment survey.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah and attended by Abid Hassan of the World Bank, Jonathan Addleton, Mission Director of the USAID, and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Khalid Saeed.

The meeting was held to formulate a strategy for the development of border areas in the NWFP and Balochistan.

The adviser said that before launching of the border area trust fund, a task force comprising the Economic Affairs Division and Development Partners should be constituted to assess the development needs of the border areas and evaluate the quantum of financial requirements needed to mainstream and integrate these areas in the national economy.

He said that the factual assessment of the requirements was essential as a mechanism for the implementation of those development schemes which could be carried out in accordance with the requisite needs of the areas.

He said once proper vision and scope of the development activities was visualized fund-raising would be initiated by launching a global effort.

The adviser asked the economic affairs division to coordinate with all stakeholders, including the NWFP and Balochistan governments, for identification of developmental tasks, including development of infrastructure, construction of roads, schools and hospitals, so that a fund-raising campaign could be launched with the cooperation of international financial institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank as well as countries in the Middle East and Europe.

He said the newly-authorized FATA Development Authority will also be asked to spell out specific development activities to be undertaken in FATA areas and provide useful input to the task force constituted for the purpose.

He said the trust fund will augment activities already being carried out by the USAID and other agencies.

He said the World Bank could take the lead by embarking upon an action plan and providing necessary input to the task force.