Five more uplift projects launched in Orakzai

.Ag Bureau report

PESHAWAR: Five more development projects were initiated in Orakzai which will have a significant impact on the lives of the inhabitants of the tribal district

A causeway project to benefit more than 6,000 people was launched in Kasha village. Member Provincial Assembly Syed Ghazan Jamal and Additional Deputy Commissioner Tariq, Assistant Commissioner Abbas Afridi and a large number of community members participated in the launching ceremony. The European Union-funded and KFW-financed Aid to Uprooted People of Pakistan Project is being implemented by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP).

Under the scheme, a 200 X 22 feet long causeway and a 500 meter long road would be constructed at a cost of Rs20.06 million in eight months, benefitting over 900 households of Kasha valley. Sultan Khan, president Kasha Tarraqiati Network, explained to the gathering of community members the benefit the project would bring to the area.

He said the inhabitants had to cross a water stream. “We have to wait for hours at the stream for water to subside to get to the hospital,” he said, adding, it would also lead to substantial reduction in travelling costs. MPA Ghazan Jamal assured the people that this was the beginning of development in the area and it would open up the locality for many more projects to address their needs.

He said the renovation of a primary school, the building of Middle School and other projects were in the pipeline. He thanked the SRSP for initiating the work in this remote area. Four other community projects worth Rs9.8 million were launched separately in Orakzai.

These included three sanitation schemes, one drinking water project each in Shams Rehman, Star Killay, Bezoi Bhittani and Karonchki villages. An official said the projects would benefit 510 households