PESHAWAR, Sept 7: The Fata Development Working Party (FDWP) has approved 16 development projects worth Rs696.587 million in various sectors and decided to strengthen the existing capacities of respective departments.

A meeting of the FDWP, held at the Fata Civil Secretariat with Additional Chief Secretary Fata Mohammad Shahzad Arbab in the chair, was attended by among others, Secretary Finance Fata, the Secretary P&D Fata, the Conservator of Fata Forests, the Director Education Fata and officials of Tesco.

The schemes approved during the meeting include strengthening of forestry sector, four afforestation schemes in Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber agencies, two schemes of fisheries department, strengthening of supervisory structure in Fata, capacity building of works and services department and livestock directorate, carpeting of Khar-Tangi Road in Bajaur Agency, hand-pump based water supply schemes, strengthening of the governor’s inspection team and Fata Levies Training Centre and construction of Mameet Khel feeder in North Waziristan.

The meeting was told that the projects in the forestry sector were aimed at strengthening the Fata forestry by providing appropriate number of qualified forestry staff and introducing modern techniques.

Similarly, the afforestation projects included plantation on communal land in Fata to meet firewood and timber requirements of the locals.

Talking on the occasion Mr Arbab said that reorganisation of Fata secretariat would greatly help in acceleration if development process to the benefit of tribesmen. He directed the officials concerned to ensure quality control and fast and timely completion of these projects.