Centre releases Rs35.968bn for tribal districts

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has released a major funding package of Rs35.968 billion with approval of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Accelerated Implementation Programme.

This approval, issued in line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, represents a critical step toward the sustained development of the merged districts (formerly Fata), aiming to ensure inclusive growth and long-term stability in the region, according to an official release issued here on Tuesday.

“The initiative falls under the broader Ten-Year Development Plan for ex-Fata, implemented through the Federal Public Sector Development Programme 2024-25. With this latest funding authorisation, the total allocation for the AIP Programme under the current fiscal year reaches Rs42.315 billion,” the release said.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emphasised the significance of the initiative.