ISLAMABAD: The government under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSPD) 2014-15 earmarked over Rs17 billion for the development schemes in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata).

However, according to figures which the government through the federal minister for states and frontier regions (Safron), Abdul Qadir Baloch, presented before the National Assembly on Friday, a mere 40 per cent - Rs6832 million- of the funds could actually be released.

With only a few months left in the current financial year, it’s almost certain Fata will miss a major chunk of the funds for its development. In a written response to the question asked by Belum Hasnain of the PPP, the minister said, “The total development portfolio for Fata during the current financial year is Rs17,080 million. However, as per policy of the finance division, the government so far has released Rs6,832 million.”

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These funds have further been released to the sector, sub-sectors of Fata. In his written response, the minister claimed that with this investment the living condition of people in Fata would improve to some extent.

As per the development guidelines approved by the governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the year 2014-15, the minister said, most of the schemes involved consolidation, strengthening, upgradation and rehabilitation of existing government facilities.

Under the PSDP 2014-15, Rs17bn were allocated for development projects in Fata

“Greater emphasis has been placed on service delivery rather than brick and mortar activities,” added the minister. Moreover, the shortage of human resource in Fata has also been catered by spending funds on specific projects.

Out of nearly Rs4 billion allocated for educational schemes, the government only released Rs1.28 billion, for health Rs996 million, for roads and bridges Rs1.43 billion, for housing Rs365 million, power sector Rs109 million, forests Rs232 million, rural development Rs108 million and irrigation Rs289 million.

An official of the planning and development division told Dawn that the overall release of funds under the current PSPD had not been encouraging because the government was sparingly using funds for development schemes.

However, according to an opposition member of the National Assembly, whatever concerns the government had on its fiscal side, at least it should have released all the funds for Fata.

“Over years, the people of Fata have suffered the brunt of the ongoing war against extremism, therefore, they need special treatment when it comes to carrying out development schemes,” said the MNA.

Another grey area, which the federal government must pay attention, was the audit of the schemes which on paper were completed during the PPP tenure because, according to the auditor general of Pakistan’s reports pending before the Pub-lic Accounts Committee (PAC), a major part of these funds were never utilised.

Published in Dawn March 21st , 2015

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