China to provide grant for social development in FATA

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PESHAWAR: China will provide ten million dollars to support Pakistan Government in rehabilitation of residents in FATA and promote social development in the area.

An agreement to this effect was signed in Islamabad on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Saleem Sethi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments on award of the special grant.

The signing of Agreement comes in follow up action of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in April this year. The Government of China, it may be mentioned had earlier approved a grant amounting to 129 million dollars for the development and rehabilitation of FATA region. In this regard, various projects and programs will be implemented with assistance of the Chinese Government.

Moreover, the Government of China has also shown willingness to provide more assistance for up-gradation and betterment of FATA region. The Chinese Ambassador conveyed best wishes and greetings to the people of Pakistan for Holy month of Ramadan and Eid.

Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a message, welcomed signing of the agreement which he said would help in addressing the issue of TDPs in FATA. He said it was also another good example of the sound Pak-China economic cooperation.

Minister Dar added that it was one of the top priorities of the Government to look after the TDPs and make endeavours for their early rehabilitation. The Minister hoped that remaining funds would also be utilized for TDPs as early as possible.