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Islamabad: Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi, Chairman chaired the 16th meeting of Standing Committee on State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) on Friday 02nd December,2011 at 10:00 AM in Committee Room No. 2, Parliament House, Islamabad.
The agenda of meeting was as under:-
1. Progress of Sanction New Employee’s (SNEs) of all departments lying pending in FATA Secretariat.
2. Details of appointments made during last three years against vacant posts in FATA and FATA Secretariat.
3. Details of Funds released in Upper, Lower and Central Kurram Agency by Highways and Building Division of C and W during 2010-11.
4. Consideration of the report of Sub-Committee dated 13-07-2011 under Convenership of Engineer Muhammad Tariq Khattak, MNA.
5. Consideration of the report of Sub-Committee dated 18-07-2011 under Convenership of Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate, MNA.
6. Any other item with the permission of the Chair.
Engineer Muhammad Tariq Khattak, MNA, Mr. Noor Alam Khan, MNA, Syed Asif Hasnain MNA, Mr. Pervaiz Khan Advocate MNA, Lt. Gen. ® Abdul Qadir Baloch, MNA, Mr. Abdul Maalik Wazir, MNA, Dr. Imtiaz Sultan Bukhari, MNA, Dr. Zil-e-Human, MNA, Maulvi Asmatullah, MNA, attended the meeting. Besides Engineer Shaukatullah, Minister for State and Frontier Regions was also participated.
The salient feature of the meeting is stated as under: –
a. The Committee expressed concerned that FATA Secretariat initiated case for approval of Finance Division for creation of 4545 posts in 2009 amounting to Rs. 11 billion but so far Finance Division has agreed to release funds for 1000 posts and even funds for these posts have not been released, which is delaying tactics. All members of the Committee made complaint that neither funds are released nor appointments are made in areas of FATA which is creating sense of deprivement and frustration.
For current financial year 2011-12 Rs. 15 billion were sanctioned but so for Rs. One billion has been released. The allocation for development Budget should be made comparable with Non Development Budget of FATA. The funds allocated for various projects should be released on time and utilized in a transparent way.
Secretary Ministry of SAFRON categorically clarified that all codal formalities for release of funds have since been completed and only in time release of funds is required. Ministry of SAFRON to furnish audit reports for the year 2009-10 with regard to SNEs. SAFRON to make uniform and transparent policy with regard to adhoc appointments, postings, transfers and employment quota of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. Secretary Finance and Secretary SAFRON and FATA Secretariat will be called in next meeting to explain the position.
b. Ministry of SAFRON / FATA Secretariat to furnish head wise breakup of total amount released since 2009 and utilization report on War on Terror.
c. It is commonly reported that schools and hospitals are set on fire in FATA area. The hidden hand should be unearthed as except Mohmand Agency peace is prevailing in other areas.
d. MNAs/MPAs of area should be taken into confidence with regard to all public schemes, projects by Donors/NGOs and Annual Development Plan (ADP) in FATA. A transparent monitoring, evaluation and audit system of these programmes should also be launched.
e. Provision of Rs. 1800 million for strengthening of Peace Committees/Lashkers should be rationalized.
f. The proposal of FATA University, IT University, Medical College and Engineering University may be included in PSDP without further delay.
g. The Committee expressed concern on the poor performance by Highway and Building Division of Communication and Works (C and W) in Upper, Lower and Central Kurram agency. The concerned officers never visit the area. The financial data provided by these departments indicate that work done is not transparent.
Ministry of SAFRON may ensure transparent, release, utilization, monitoring and evaluation in Central Kurram. The Highway Division office should not be shifted from Parachinnar to any other place. The position as on 2010 in NA-38 should be maintained.
h. Separate meetings will be held on working of NGOs/Donors and Independent Displaced Persons (IDPs) in FATA area.
i. FATA members may also be included in Standing Committee on SAFRON.
k. In future Ministry of SAFRON will provide brief etc. in Urdu version.
The Committee approved recommendations of following Sub-Committees:-
a) Report of Sub-Committee held on 13-07-2011 under Convenership of Engineer Muhammad Tariq Khattak, MNA. RAHA Scheme should be extended in Baluchistan as well as other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
b) Report of Sub-Committee held on 28-07-2011 under Convenership of Mr. Pervez Khan Advocate, MNA. The Committee expressed concern on deteriorating financial position of Nawabs of Lasbella and Khurran who sacrificed great contributions for creation of Pakistan. Ministry of SAFRON to make necessary steps to increase their financial grant.
There must be equity in grant of funds to all Nawabs of Pakistan. Necessary amendments in the Bill should be made without further delay. Ministry of Law may be consulted and called in the next meeting.
The meeting ended with vote of thanks.
For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106