ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 : The signing ceremony on Quick Projects in the South Waziristan Agency between Government of Pakistan and Government of United States through USAID was signed here on Thursday.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Habib Ullah Khan, Additional Chief Secretary, NWFP and Mr. Robert Wilson, Director USAID on behalf of their respective governments.
While the agreement was witnessed by Mr.Sibtain Fazal Halim Secretary Economic Affairs Division and Anne W. Patterson, the Ambassador of USA.
US Government will provide $ 55 million (Rs.4.5 billion) to Government of Pakistan for infrastructure rehabilitation and construction programme in South Waziristan . This support is part of the strategic agreements worth $899 million (Rs.75 billion) signed by the Governments of the United States and Pakistan on September 30, 2009.
The grant will be directly provided to the FATA Secretariat as it works with the Frontier Works Organization, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and other local agencies to rebuild roads, develop water infrastructure and to improve power system.
“The US is committed to the reconstruction efforts through direct support to the government of Pakistan ”, said Ambassador Patterson. Due to the efforts of the Pakistan Army, the people of South Waziristan and other civilian agencies, the militants have been forced to retreat. The people of Waziristan have sacrificed a lot in this war against terror, she further remarked.
The US Government is the largest provider of assistance to FATA .Over the past two years, the US has spent more than $100 million (Rs.8.4 billion) in small infrastructure,education,health and economic growth projects throughout the region.
In addition, the US has provided more than $300 million to help displaced persons in FATA and NWFP. Ambassador Patterson reiterated the pledge of the US government to continue to support infrastructure development in the region along with grant to re-establish education, health and other services. Us will also provide $ 1.2 billion to Pakistan for coalition Support Fund next month, said the Ambassador.INP
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