ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on SAFRON was told on Thursday that the Pakistan Army was “illegally” receiving a sum of Rs 35,000 per container from NATO to clear containers at the Torkham border. Expressing anger, the committee has summoned the FC IG in this connection. The NA body’s meeting was chaired by Sajid Hussain. FATA Additional Secretary Habib Ullah told the committee that the regular transportation of NATO containers was badly damaging the road system in FATA while the government had no funds for reconstructing the roads. He said on average 220 NATO truck were daily entering Afghanistan via Torkham and the committee recommended imposing a toll tax on NATO containers so that the amount could be used on the reconstruction of the roads. The committee was told that there was no jail in FATA and the prisoners were being kept in a judicial lock up with a dilapidated building. The committee was told that a proper legislation was needed for the construction of the jail while the FATA Secretariat had no funds to do it. The FATA secretary gave a briefing about the educational activities in FATA, saying a cadet college was being set up in Wana and classes would start in April, adding however, that construction of colleges in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies was impossible.
