PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is facing a shortage of more than Rs81 billion – half of the funds – required for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected districts and the reconstruction of infrastructure.
Overall, the province needs Rs162b but so far, the provincial government has arranged Rs80.50bn. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may face financial constraints for next several years due to shortfall of such a high amount of fund. The provincial government has been advised to take the support from well-wishers of the province including the federal government and international aid agencies.
The KP Planning and Development (P&D) Department has prepared a plan for the rehabilitation of flood affected districts and sent it to relevant forum for approval. According to the P&D sources, the KP government needs Rs162bn for the post-disaster rehabilitation program, in which a total of Rs120bn will be required for the infrastructure development program.
The report sent by the P&D for the approval of the rehabilitation plan, said that a two-year plan has been prepared for the restoration of the total damages of Rs162 billion. The phase one of the plan will needs Rs31bn, while phase two will require Rs46.60bn.
The provincial government has arranged Rs19 billion by re-allocating funds within the administrative departments for the phase one. The international aid agencies have assured to provide assistance of Rs61.50bn to eight administrative departments for the flood affected areas. However, despite this, the provincial government is facing a shortfall of Rs7.70 billion for the phase one of the two year program.
According to proposed plan, 13 KP administrative departments of will be part of the infrastructure development program during phase one. Five departments, including local government, higher education, food, multi-sector development and the finance department have not attracted any international aid to restore its flood affected infrastructure.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 309 people were killed while 369 were injured, 94, 464 houses were affected, while 674318 people displaced by thr climate change induced devastating floods.
