Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday met World Food Programme Country Director Anita Hirsch at KP House Islamabad.
Matters of mutual interest, cooperation and partnership promotion were discussed. Agreement was reached on further strengthening partnership with the KP government and enhancing cooperation in priority sectors, said a news release issued here.
Issues related to food security, climate change, stunting IDP assistance in KP were discussed.
The Chief Minister said the Chashma Right Lift Bank Canal project was essential to make millions of acres cultivable in KP.
The provincial government allocated funds annually for the canal but the federal government did not provide its share. Heavy investment was being made on irrigation canals, tube wells and other agricultural projects for food security.
He said massive investment was made on afforestation under PTI’s vision. KP held over 45 percent of Pakistan’s forests covering 26 percent of the province’s area.
He said flash floods and cloud bursts in mountainous areas due to climate change were causing severe damage to economy and infrastructure. Over Rs 15 billion compensation was paid to flood victims of Buner, Shangla, Swat and Bajaur. Investment in green climate initiatives and early warning systems was the need of the hour.
He said merged districts were severely affected by terrorism. Economy suffered alongside infrastructure. Districts dependent on cross-border trade were severely affected by border closures. Twenty-four thousand families were displaced from Tirah. Access to livelihood, health and education were major challenges.
The federal government promised Rs 17 billion annually for TDPs of merged districts which remained unfulfilled. Despite lack of federal assistance, the provincial government was spending substantial resources on IDP relief and provision of necessities.
Country Director Anita Hirsch said the World Food Programme would continue cooperation for food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation in KP.