Committee notified for accelerated uplift of merged districts

PESHAWAR: The Federal government, after approval by Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif has notified the Steering Committee, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor as its member, for accelerated development initiatives in the merged districts of the province.

Around 80 per cent of the Accelerated Implementation Plan (AIP) funds in the erstwhile Fata will be channelled through the Steering Committee that will also identify the development needs and recommend developmental schemes to be executed by the federal agencies.

A notification stated that 20 percent of the AIP funds may be channeled for inclusive development through Sustainable Development Goals in the less developed areas. Apart from KP governor, the Steering Committee also includes four members of the National Assembly, two members of the KP Assembly from the merged districts of, secretaries of Finance, PD&SI, additional chief secretary KP, chief economist and any co-opted member.

The deputy chairman of the Planning Commission will head the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee has been given the mandate to identify sectors in erstwhile Fata where development is needed. It will recommend development projects based on need in the merged districts.After the approval of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Islamabad issued notification of the formation of the committee.