PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a Rs2.18 billion worth of project to develop and revitalise economic infrastructure of South Waziristan tribal district over a period of three years.

The Special Integrated Area Development Package for South Waziristan district was approved by the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) in its meeting here on Thursday.

The documents available with Dawn show that the initiative will be executed between July 2021 and June 2024 with a sum of Rs2.18 billion to be used to develop various sectors of local economy.

Different components of the project will be executed by the local government, irrigation, agriculture and livestock, forestry and wildlife departments, and skill training and business development bodies.

According to the document, the project is meant to revitalise district economic infrastructure, create jobs, maximise business opportunities, rehabilitate livelihoods through gainful employment and linkages, and promote community integration and social cohesion.

Govt says initiative to develop economic infrastructure, create jobs, rehabilitate livelihoods

The breakdown of costs showed that the local government department will get the total allocation’s 19 per cent i.e. Rs429.5 million to be used for civil works in 18 bazaars, including construction of plain cement concrete pavement of streets, construction of drains with footpath, solar pressure pump for drinking water, solar tubewells, overhead water tanks, solar streetlights, and construction of public latrines.

Under the plan, Rs348.2 million will be utilised to different projects of irrigation sector including 45 flood protection works in different parts of the district, 15 groynes or spurs, rehabilitation and construction of 30 water channels, 22 earthen water tanks irrigation channels, and 25 concrete water tank and irrigation channels.

In agriculture sector, Rs318 million will be spent on the promotion of conventional apple orchards, introduction of high-density plantation of apple and promotion of plum orchards over 906 acres of land.

Also, the provision of hybrid tomato seeds, certified potato seeds and onion seeds for use in 795 acres of land is also planned.

The department will offer training on orchard management, on-farm training in orchards like pruning, white washing and spraying, exposure visits and training in tomato puree, ketchup, fruit pulp, jam and squash making to the locals.

The plan is also meant for net vertical planting over 210 acres of land, introduction of saffron growing over 25 acres of land, setting up of two fruit nursery farms, and improved olive cultivar orchards over 225 acres of land.

In addition, the development of 25 check dams, 13 micro watersheds, 19 terracing, 45 soil protection structures and 25 moisture conservation structures has been planned.

In the industries sector, Rs257 million will be spent on technical education and vocational training and Rs220 million on small and medium enterprise.

The documents say the initiative envisages the provision of 3-36 months long training to 400 youths, on-job training or internships to 400 youth, up-gradation of 150 businesses, and establishment of around 50 startups.

Under the plan, Rs177.5 million will be spent on different interventions in livestock sector including provision of 1,500 units of backyard poultry, provision of 100 portable wool shearing machines, input support for commercial broiler farming, and renovation of milk and meat shops.

A total of Rs87 million will be spent on different interventions in forestry sector and Rs45 million on providing internships to 150 youths.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2021