ISLAMABAD: Orakzai administration has filtered out a number of unfeasible schemes and added new schemes to uplift the conflict-torn area.

After the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the focus has been shifted to development and output-based budgeting.

The Orakzai district administration, in collaboration with line departments and planning and development department of KP, has been focusing on key areas of development depending on local populace’s needs to uplift the area and ensure sustainable development at par with settled parts of the province.

Some schemes with almost no impact have been eliminated such as there was a project to build 100 biogas plants while livestock was not abundant in the area.

Some 140 water ponds had been removed which were proposed to be constructed at a cost of tens of millions rupees without doing a feasibility study of rainfall. A scheme of potato seed distribution had been discarded which was to cost Rs15m.

A tick and worm medicine (Ivermectin) project was proposed at a cost of Rs20m while livestock was not abundant in the area.

The irrigation department had proposed schemes of flood and drainage which after consultation with parliamentarians have been removed since Orakzai is not a flood-prone area and there is no river flowing through this mountainous terrain.

Deputy Commissioner of Orakzai Dr Asif Rahim confirmed that a number of schemes had been slashed. He said during a meeting of the District Development Committee, which was attended by executing department along with all observer members, it was decided to uplift and beautify 12 bazaars of Orakzai which were abandoned during a long war.

“This will be an economic boost to locals and ensure competitive marketing with surrounding markets of Kohat and southern districts. We have also finalised Integrated Area Devel­opment schemes for Orakzai. As per demand of the local people approach roads for villages would be executed by the Local Government and Rural Development Department or Commu­nication and Works. Micro hydel projects will be executed and the focus will be on olives grafting and vertical farming,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2022