May 13, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1428

RAWALPINDI, May 12: European Union ambassadors based in Islamabad were on Saturday given a briefing on the prevalent situation on the Pakistan-Afghan border with particular reference to security measures taken to check cross-border movement.

The ambassadors who visited the General Headquarters were informed by security officials of achievements in defeating terrorism and development undertaken by the government and the Pakistan Army for uplift of Fata.

Official sources said the EU ambassadors were told that Pakistan had set up about 1,000 check-posts on its side of the border and deployed 80,000 troops to check the cross-border movement, while the Afghan side had only 100 posts along the border.

It was stressed that there was a need for the Afghan side to enhance the number of posts on its side to effectively check the cross-border movement.

They were told that Pakistan would go with its plan to selectively fence its border with Afghanistan.

So far an area stretching over 20 kilometres has been fenced.

They were told that the repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland would help improve the security situation.

The EU ambassadors were told that comprehensive sustainable development plan spreading over next nine years had been chalked out for ensuring all socio-economic development in Fata.

“An unprecedented amount of development funds has been allocated to Fata during the current fiscal year to provide basic facilities including water, electricity, gas, roads, health and education.”

They were told that Rs9 billion were being spent annually in Fata as against the annual allocations of Rs1 billion used to make for the purpose six years back.