EU to provide 80m euros for restoration of infrastructure in Malakand Division

PESHAWAR: Minister for Finance and PPP Provincial General Secretary, Engr Humayun Khan said Sunday that European Union (EU) will provide 80 million euros for restoration/repair of infrastructure in militancy affected Malakand division and capacity building of health and education institutions. "In this regard, an agreement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and EU would hopefully be reached this month," he told APP during an interview. He said the confidence of EU and other donors have been enhanced on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government referring to the assistance received in the past comprises 84 percent loan and only 16 percent grant while at present it is more than 80 percent grant. This reflects the confidence of the donor agencies in our growth oriented policies, relief programms and good performance, he added. He said the government has constructed and repaired schools, additional class rooms besides providing medicines and machines to hospitals in DI Khan and Buner districts by utilising the conditional funds received from donors. This year, he said, development work would be carried out in six districts of the province under the conditional fund and later would be expended to others districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The minister said the donor agencies and friends of Pakistan during Donors Conference held in Islamabad under the aegis of KP Government, had hinted investment in relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which is welcome and good omen. He highly commended the assistance and support of international donor's organisations and expressed optimism that they would honour their aid pledges and will continue assistance for socio-economic emancipation of people affected by militancy and terrorism. Humayun said that financial position of KP Government is strong and stable and a record three percent increase has been made in the total outlay of Annual Development Programme 2012-13 of the province. Despite the grave challenges of terrorism and militancy, he said the total ADP outlay of KP Government that was only Rs. 33 billion in first year has jumped to record Rs. 97billion. He said increasing the share of province from 43 percent to 57.5 percent in federal divisible pool was highly commendable effort of the present government and a major step towards provincial autonomy. He said the government has presented growth oriented and friendly budget for current fiscal year with no new tax which was appreciated by opponents as well. He said relief is being provided to people affected by terrorism and militancy referring to Bacha Khan Alleviation Programme, waving of small loans in Malakand Division, stars of Khyber Pakthunkhwa programme etc. He said that annual installment of capped amount of Rs. 6 billion under the net hydel profits of Rs. 110 billion is being regularly received while negotiation with the provincial and federal governments are underway for increasing the annual profit under electricity head to KP government and the people would soon hear good news, adding interest of the province would be protected at all cost. Regarding load-shedding, the minister said work on several hydropower projects including Darar Khwar, Khan Khwar and Mataltan have been started to address this issue are permanent basis and increase the province income. He said development and peace are interlinked and the government was spending maximum amount for improving law and order and strengthening of law enforcement agency. He said law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in general and Malakand in particular improved.