ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and the United State yesterday signed $750 million agreement aimed at offering new assistance to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by Washington in next five years.
The United States is providing $105 million this year for the FATA programme. "The United States government on behalf of the American people understands the importance of delivering resources quickly and effectively to bring essential services to the people of the FATA," US Agency for International Development (USAID) Pakistan Mission Director, Anne Aarnes, said after signing the bilateral agreement with the Secretary, Economic Affairs Division, M. Akram Malik.
The USAID Director said that it was part of a long-term commitment by the United States to assist the Government of Pakistan in addressing the acute development needs of the people of this important region of Pakistan. We commend the Government of Pakistan in establishing the Sustainable Development Plan for the FATA, USAID's Aarnes said. We have crafted our assistance activities to directly support this plan, and we look forward to working together closely with FATA officials in its implementation. The new agreement will be used to support programmes in capacity building, livelihoods, agriculture, micro and small and medium enterprises, health, education and infrastructure development in the FATA.