Abdul Waheed Wazir
Since the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) in 2018, the allocation and utilization of the region’s budget have been pivotal in fostering development and integration. This merger aimed to bring the historically marginalized FATA regions under the same legal and administrative framework as the rest of Pakistan, thereby extending constitutional rights and unlocking new opportunities for growth. The budget allocated to these areas post-merger plays a critical role in addressing long-standing infrastructural deficiencies, improving public services, and promoting economic development. Key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare have received targeted investments to uplift the standard of living and promote inclusive growth.
Transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of the ex-FATA budget have been crucial in ensuring effective governance and public trust. The KPK government has implemented measures to enhance transparency, including public disclosure of budgetary allocations, robust expenditure tracking mechanisms, and regular audits. These efforts not only empower local communities to monitor the use of public funds but also strengthen institutional mechanisms to prevent mismanagement and corruption. Civil society organizations and the media play a vital role in scrutinizing budgetary processes, advocating for transparency, and holding authorities accountable for the effective use of resources.
The National Finance Commission (NFC) award plays a significant role in determining the financial allocation for provinces and regions, including ex-FATA, from the federal divisible pool. This allocation is based on various criteria, such as population size, revenue generation capacity, and development needs. The NFC award ensures a fair distribution of resources, allowing historically marginalized regions like ex-FATA to receive their equitable share of funds for socio-economic development. However, challenges such as bureaucratic delays and administrative inefficiencies can hinder the timely disbursement and utilization of allocated funds, impacting the implementation of development projects despite adequate financial provisions.
The allocation and utilization of the ex-FATA budget, supplemented by the NFC award, have yielded positive development outcomes in the region. Improved infrastructure, expanded access to education and healthcare services, enhanced governance structures, and increased economic opportunities are tangible results observed post-merger. Despite these gains, sustaining development momentum requires continuous efforts to streamline administrative processes, strengthen local institutions, and address socio-economic disparities. Future prospects for ex-FATA hinge on leveraging budgetary resources strategically to achieve sustainable development goals, empower communities, and bridge developmental gaps with other parts of KPK.
the transparent allocation and effective utilization of the ex-FATA budget, coupled with the impact of the NFC award, are pivotal in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the region post-merger. As Pakistan continues on its path of inclusive growth and governance reform, ensuring equitable distribution and prudent management of resources in ex-FATA remain critical for fostering prosperity, stability, and integration within the broader national framework.
