PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has said that rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from tribal areas is a challenging task.

Chairing a review meeting of Fata Annual Development Programme 2013-14 here at Governor's House on Tuesday, he said that government was trying its level best to accomplish the task of rehabilitation of IDPs.

The government said that socio-economic uplift of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) was important to resolve the problems of tribesmen. He said that every possible initiative would be taken to rehabilitate the existing structure for restoration of peace and development in the region on priority basis.

About the future of Fata, he said that their government would respect the aspirations of tribal people and would honour their decision in that regard.

The governor said that rehabilitation of IDPs was a challenging task and the government was trying its best to accomplish it. He said that austerity measures would be taken to ensure provision of compensation to IDPs.

Mr Khan said that problems of IDPs would be resolved on priority basis and development projects would be included in next ADP to facilitate most of the IDPs.

The governor said that there was better understanding at every level amongst the government functionaries and people of the area about ground realities in Fata. Mega projects would be initiated to overcome backwardness in tribal areas, he said, adding that reconstruction and repair of destroyed schools, hospitals, health units and community centres would be started soon.

About ongoing projects in Fata, the governor said that merit and transparency was getting extra care in all respects. He directed the authorities concerned to include major schemes in the next ADP for the uplift of tribal people.

Mr Khan directed the relevant officials of Fata Secretariat that all development schemes should to be certified as no compromise would be accepted in that regard.

The governor said that efforts were also underway to remove hurdles in consultation with tribal people in line with their customs and traditions.

Mr Khan said that situation in Fata was becoming conducive for carrying out development projects. He directed the officials to ensure full utilisation of funds and speedy completion of projects.

He said that weekly basis review meetings would be held to take stock of the progress on each and every development projects. The slow moving projects, he added, would be revisited and funds would be reallocated for fast-moving projects.

About working of Tesco, Mr Khan desired to have a detailed briefing on its activities in Fata shortly. He also desired to have a project-wise weekly review of the electrification plans in Fata. A detailed briefing was also given to the governor by the officials of Fata Secretariat. He was told that ongoing development schemes would be completed within stipulated time.

Briefing the meeting, Fata additional chief secretary said that total volume of Gross Fata ADP was Rs18,500 million in which Rs14,922 million were allocated for Fata ADP including Rs1,658 million share of Fata Development Authority.

He said that Rs10,401.419 million, 70 per cent of the total outlay, were allocated for the ongoing schemes.

LAW AND ORDER: The governor was also briefed about the overall law and order situation in Fata at a meeting here on Tuesday.

He was briefed in detail about the prevailing situation and ongoing rehabilitation process in Fata. The ongoing measures meant for socio-economic uplift of the people of Fata with special focus on rehabilitation of IDPs also came under discussion. The governor directed to expedite the efforts and complete the projects within the stipulated period.

The commissioners, political agents and the heads of the respective organisations while briefing the governor about their working also highlighted the future needs in that regard. —APP