ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was told on Thursday that development funds for Fata by the donors were not being utilised properly.

Taking part in the budget debate the Parliamentary Leader of MNAs from FATA Munir Khan Orakzai said that Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) was being ignored in the development budget.

He said the hefty funds were sought from foreign countries in the name of Fata but unfortunately these was not being utilised on the development and welfare of people of the areas.

He said that Rs.15 billion was earmarked for Fata in the current budget but only Rs.8.7 billion was provided so far. The approved government schemes worth Rs.34 billion could not be completed so far due to paucity of funds, he added.

He alleged that delaying tactics were being used to release funds for Fata and it released only in May. “We have no magic to utilise the fund in one month,” he said and demanded that the funds should be released up to December of every year.

Munir said that the incumbent government announced 3 D policy (Dialogue, Development and Deterrence) for addressing Fata issue.

However, he said that deterrence option was being used for the last three years instead of dialogue and development.

He demanded that development funds should be provided to Fata according to its population and keeping in view its backwardness.

He further said that Fata suffered a loss of billion of dollars so far due to volatile situation. Trade, houses, education of the areas have badly ruined due to arising situation, he said and urged the parliamentarians to play their effective role for addressing problems confronted to the people.