MIRAMSHAH, April 7: The multi-pronged developmental schemes launched in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) would improve the living standard of tribesmen. This was stated by Political Agent NWA, Dr Fakhr-i-Aalam while talking to a group of Peshawar-based journalists during a visit to Miramshah. Dr Aalam said the government had a series of development schemes in the agency and on the completion of these schemes people of the area would enjoy basic facilities including health, education and electricity.

He said 87 schemes have been launched in NWA, including some mega projects, and more than 50 per cent work has already been completed on these schemes.

In the current Annual Development Plan 80 per cent funds were reserved for ongoing schemes and the remaining amount was earmarked for new projects. The ongoing schemes, he said, were expected to be completed by 2006.

The government has launched a number of projects for construction of roads including Aeesha to Razmak, Mir Ali bypass, bridges throughout the agency. Similarly, some inaccessible areas, like Shawal were made accessible for people by the construction of road and extending writ of law.

Dr Aalam said government has also focused on provision of clean drinking water facility which is the biggest problem of the area.

He said government is working on three-pronged policy of installing tubewells, dugwells and hand pumps.

For improving agriculture sector, government has launched a number of schemes including construction of big and small dams.

He said, a small dam at Mir Kalam, which would irrigated 375 acres of land, is in progress and 50 per cent work has been completed.

Construction of another small dam at Misrey Khel with an estimated cost of Rs78.5 million is also in progress.—APP