ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal government would fund Information Technology (IT) labs in 200 schools of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to equip the students with modern skills.
These labs are planned to be established in middle and higher secondary schools of AJK under Annual Development Plan (ADP) with focus on special areas.
Official sources while highlighting other features of ADP on Tuesday said skill trainings in various disciplines would also be imparted to 1,500 workers, including 300 women.
Eight tourist resorts are also planned to be developed at potential sites in AJK to promote tourism while 200 km of rural roads and 250 km of link roads will be constructed and rehabilitated.
The sources said in next fiscal year priority has been accorded to ongoing schemes and projects of various sectors which are near completion to ensure that benefits projects should reach the people.
A number of steps have been taken to ensure maximum de-centralization of administrative and financial powers, the sources said and added in the ADP, development of infrastructure and strengthening of local institutions have been emphasized to enhance capacity of local administration.
The economic potential in areas of hydropower, minerals tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry will be utilized to ensure sustainable development programme.
Giving further details, the sources said 1200 entrepreneurs are targeted to be provided credit assistance, and two polytechnic institutions, two Rescue 1122 centres and 70 educational institutions will be established.
Moreover, the agricultural inputs and micro credits facilities will be provided to farmers to increase productivity of agriculture sector.
The development programme for the next fiscal year proposes Rs 42,969 million for special areas and of the total allocation Rs 42,000 million has been earmarked as block allocation, and local administration has been authorized to allocate funds to respective sectors according to their needs.
The sources said Rs 158 million has been set aside for projects reflected in Narcotics Control Division for areas development projects, Rs 811 million for Interior Division for rural areas of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and special packages for militancy-affected areas of Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat and other such areas.
Regarding development in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), the sources said 40 km of blacktop roads and 40 km of single roads are to be constructed.
In education sector, 58 projects are targeted for completion including construction of new schools, colleges and libraries.
The other schemes include 15-km long irrigation channels are to be constructed and 20-km existing channels will be improved and repaired.
In energy sector, 12 hydro power projects are near completion for 15 MW hydel generation, and 220-km distribution lines will be laid down.
The prevailing situation of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) warrants special attention for investment for an overall development of FATA with more focus on social sector development. The funds allocated, through the block allocation, will be distributed among 16 different sectors spread over seven agencies (Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North and South Waziristan, and Orakzai) and six Frontier Regions (Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, Peshawar, Tank and Lakki Marwat).
Moreover, the FATA Administration is also dealing with re-construction of damaged infrastructure due to prevailing insurgency and rehabilitation challenge of Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) in FATA. Efforts will also be made for mainstreaming of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in FATA.
Source: APP
