Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ISLAMABAD19804
2006-10-10 12:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FATA SECRETARIAT
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 019804
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
KABUL - PLEASE PASS TO CFC-A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON SOCI PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FATA SECRETARIAT
ADDITONAL CHEIF SECRETARY ARBAB, 5 OCTOBER 2006
Summary
--------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 019804
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
KABUL - PLEASE PASS TO CFC-A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON SOCI PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FATA SECRETARIAT
ADDITONAL CHEIF SECRETARY ARBAB, 5 OCTOBER 2006
Summary
--------------
1. (U) Ambassador met with Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA) Secretariat Additional Chief Secretary (ACS)
Shehzad Arbab on October 5. FATA Secretariat Secretary for
Planning and Development Zafar Hassan, ODRP Chief MG Helmly,
Islamabad DATT, Peshawar PO, USAID Officer (notetaker) were
also present. Meetings with NWFP Governor Orakzai and 11th
Corps Commander LTG Hamid reported septels.
2. (U) ACS Arbab reported that the FATA Sustainable
Development Plan should be ready for distribution to donors
in time for a February 2007 donors conference. The FATA
Secretariat has undergone a re-organization and is focused on
SIPDIS
collecting baseline data as well as upgrading FATA
infrastructure. The recently created FATA Development
Authority is intended to complement the work of the
Secretariat as a public-private partnership. The Secretariat
SIPDIS
will focus on the social sector while the FDA will give
attention to the productive sector. End Summary.
Finalizing the FATA Development Plan
--------------
3. (U) Ambassador reinforced that plans to finalize a FATA
Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) by the end of October was
welcome news. Arbab estimated the SDP's budget at
approximately USD $2 billion. The ACS also expected that the
SDP would be ready for distribution to donors in time for a
February 2007 conference.
Re-Inventing the FATA Secretariat
--------------
4. (U) The ACS reported that the FATA Secretariat had been
strengthened through a recent re-organization that
established four Additional Secretaries who will cover
planning/development, law and order, coordination, and
finance. A Director for Monitoring (programs) has also been
created. Approximately USD $10 million, Arbab said, was
allocated for capacity building. Gathering a wide range of
baseline data is a key priority for the Secretariat.
Improving/creating infrasctructure, particularly institutions
of higher education, roads, irrigation works, and mines were
also at the top of the agenda.
Role of the FATA Development Authority
--------------
5. (U) Regulations creating and governing the FATA
Development Authority had also recently been approved, the
ACS continued. The purpose of the FDA is to encourage
private sector investment in the FATA. The FDA will have a
seven-member board comprised of public (three) and private
(four) sector representatives. Arbab himself will be the
Board's Chief Executive. NWFP Governor Orakzai will
designate the board members from the private sector. That
selection is expected shortly, Arbab said. The FDA will also
have a Steering Committee with representatives from the
federal government, chaired by the Governor, with a mandate
to set broad policy direction. The Board would have freedom
of action within that framework. The FATA Secretariat, Arbab
said, will oversee the Fata's social sector development
(primarily health and education) while the FDA will oversee
the productive sector (infrastructure, mineral development,
vocational training, and Reconstruction Opportunity Zones).
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) While the outlines of the machinery to tackle the
ISLAMABAD 00019804 002 OF 002
problems of the FATA are beginning to take shape, there are
many blanks still to be filled in. The Secretariat's
capacity to operate on the ground in the tribal areas will
continue to present significant challenges. Turf wars with
the federal government and provincial actors may emerge,
affecting the effectiveness of the re-organized FATA
Secretariat and the newly created FDA. One factor in favor of
SIPDIS
the FATA Sectretariat's ability to accomplish its mission is
the professional and energetic leadership of the ACS.
BODDE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
KABUL - PLEASE PASS TO CFC-A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON SOCI PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH FATA SECRETARIAT
ADDITONAL CHEIF SECRETARY ARBAB, 5 OCTOBER 2006
Summary
--------------
1. (U) Ambassador met with Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA) Secretariat Additional Chief Secretary (ACS)
Shehzad Arbab on October 5. FATA Secretariat Secretary for
Planning and Development Zafar Hassan, ODRP Chief MG Helmly,
Islamabad DATT, Peshawar PO, USAID Officer (notetaker) were
also present. Meetings with NWFP Governor Orakzai and 11th
Corps Commander LTG Hamid reported septels.
2. (U) ACS Arbab reported that the FATA Sustainable
Development Plan should be ready for distribution to donors
in time for a February 2007 donors conference. The FATA
Secretariat has undergone a re-organization and is focused on
SIPDIS
collecting baseline data as well as upgrading FATA
infrastructure. The recently created FATA Development
Authority is intended to complement the work of the
Secretariat as a public-private partnership. The Secretariat
SIPDIS
will focus on the social sector while the FDA will give
attention to the productive sector. End Summary.
Finalizing the FATA Development Plan
--------------
3. (U) Ambassador reinforced that plans to finalize a FATA
Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) by the end of October was
welcome news. Arbab estimated the SDP's budget at
approximately USD $2 billion. The ACS also expected that the
SDP would be ready for distribution to donors in time for a
February 2007 conference.
Re-Inventing the FATA Secretariat
--------------
4. (U) The ACS reported that the FATA Secretariat had been
strengthened through a recent re-organization that
established four Additional Secretaries who will cover
planning/development, law and order, coordination, and
finance. A Director for Monitoring (programs) has also been
created. Approximately USD $10 million, Arbab said, was
allocated for capacity building. Gathering a wide range of
baseline data is a key priority for the Secretariat.
Improving/creating infrasctructure, particularly institutions
of higher education, roads, irrigation works, and mines were
also at the top of the agenda.
Role of the FATA Development Authority
--------------
5. (U) Regulations creating and governing the FATA
Development Authority had also recently been approved, the
ACS continued. The purpose of the FDA is to encourage
private sector investment in the FATA. The FDA will have a
seven-member board comprised of public (three) and private
(four) sector representatives. Arbab himself will be the
Board's Chief Executive. NWFP Governor Orakzai will
designate the board members from the private sector. That
selection is expected shortly, Arbab said. The FDA will also
have a Steering Committee with representatives from the
federal government, chaired by the Governor, with a mandate
to set broad policy direction. The Board would have freedom
of action within that framework. The FATA Secretariat, Arbab
said, will oversee the Fata's social sector development
(primarily health and education) while the FDA will oversee
the productive sector (infrastructure, mineral development,
vocational training, and Reconstruction Opportunity Zones).
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) While the outlines of the machinery to tackle the
ISLAMABAD 00019804 002 OF 002
problems of the FATA are beginning to take shape, there are
many blanks still to be filled in. The Secretariat's
capacity to operate on the ground in the tribal areas will
continue to present significant challenges. Turf wars with
the federal government and provincial actors may emerge,
affecting the effectiveness of the re-organized FATA
Secretariat and the newly created FDA. One factor in favor of
SIPDIS
the FATA Sectretariat's ability to accomplish its mission is
the professional and energetic leadership of the ACS.
BODDE