ISLAMABAD: The federal government plans to launch a solar energy scheme for more than 5,000 households in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reviving an initiative that remained stalled despite the release of Rs13.5 billion to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that the prime minister would announce the new scheme for families in the former tribal areas and newly merged districts.
Responding to a point of order raised by lawmaker Aliya Kamran, the minister said the federal government had provided Rs13.5 billion to the provincial government last year for a solar power programme initially intended to benefit around 4,500 households.
However, he said the provincial authorities had failed to secure approval and advance the project for nearly 18 months, leaving the allocated funds unutilised.
Iqbal said the federal government would now coordinate with the newly formed provincial government to put the available funding to use and provide additional resources for expanding the scheme.
The revised initiative is expected to cover more than 5,000 households, increasing its reach beyond the original target.
The minister said the federal government would ensure effective implementation of the programme once it was formally announced.
Govt raises concerns over development funds for merged districts
During the National Assembly proceedings, Iqbal also raised concerns about the use of funds allocated under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) for the former tribal areas.
He said the government had received several complaints of alleged misuse of development funds, including claims that money intended for specific areas had been diverted elsewhere.
To address these concerns, the government established a steering committee to strengthen oversight and examine issues surrounding the allocation and utilisation of development resources.
The minister did not provide details of individual cases or identify specific projects affected by the reported irregularities.
Skills training planned for up to 7,000 young people
Alongside the solar energy initiative, Iqbal announced plans to introduce a vocational and digital skills training programme for approximately 5,000 to 7,000 young people from the region.
The proposed training will focus on modern, digital and employment-oriented skills to help participants improve their prospects in the job market.
He said the programme would equip young people with practical capabilities needed to secure employment and pursue better economic opportunities.
The solar energy and skills development initiatives form part of the federal government’s proposed measures for the former FATA districts, with further details expected when the schemes are formally launched.