Minister for States and Frontier Regions Lt. Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Thursday informed the Senate that a sufficient amount has been allocated for completion of various development projects in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Replying to a question, the minister informed the upper house of the parliament that there was an appropriate monitoring system to check utilisation of funds properly in FATA.
He said that steps are also being taken by the government to increase job opportunities for the youth of FATA. For this purpose, a job placement centre has been established with the help of UNDP in FATA Development Authority (FDA) office, he added.
He said that the main purpose was to help the trained youth of FATA find good job placement with different organisations. He informed that the business development grants project has been initiated with the help of UNDP for promoting self-employment, and the grant was awarded to 1610 FATA youth to start their own business.
All youngsters passed out from different trainings sponsored by the FDA are also provided on job training with reputed service providers and organisations. Most of the time they are absorbed in these organisations, he added.
In a written reply, the minister said during the fiscal year 2016-17, Rs.20587.00 million has been allocated to FATA ADP. Out of the allocated funds, Rs.8234.800 million (40 per cent) has so far been released by the federal government for the first and second quarters.
He said Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd. (OGDCL) has completed 2D seismic survey in the FR Barinu area of Latamber Block in 2016. The drilling will commence by the end of 2017, he added
He added that the OGDCL would initiate 2D Seismic survey in the Wali Block, which would cover South Waziristan Agency, Lakki Marwat and FR Tank.
He said that an oil and gas exploration and production company has completed “Geological mapping: in 2016 in the areas included FR Peshawar, Orakzai Agency, and Khyber Agency of Peshawar Block.
He said another oil and gas exploration and production company has completed 80 per cent of 2D seismic survey in the areas included FR DI Khan and South Waziristan Agency of Baska North Block.
He said that the OGDCL has completed geological mapping in 2016 in these areas included Kurram Agency and Orakzai Agency of the Orakzai Block while it is also expected that the 2D seismic survey will start during the year 2017.
