Islamabad, 14th October, 2014: The Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) met today in Parliament House, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Mr. Muhammad Jamal ud Din, MNA to consider the following agenda:-

i)          Discussion on the report of Sub-Committee constituted under the convener-ship of Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, MNA.

ii)        Discussion on the Audit Reports regarding completed development projects/schemes in FATA.

iii)       Discussion on the compliance report of the recommendations of the Standing Committee made in its meeting held on 10th July, 2014.

iv)       Any other item with the permission of the Chair.

2. The Report of the Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) to examine the existing mechanism regarding cess collection from different sources and expenditure of the office of the Political Agent, Khyber Agency and to suggest reforms in the existing system for the welfare of the people was came under consideration. The Convener of the Sub-Committee briefed that three meetings of the Sub-Committee have been held so far on 7th March, 2014 in Ministry of SAFRON in which it was considered as to how proceed further in the matter and decided to convene next meeting at FATA Secretariat, Peshawar to examine the record regarding cess collection from different sources as well as expenditure of Political Agent, Khyber. The Sub-Committee recommended in its meetings held on 12th & 13th March, 2014 that the FATA Parliamentarians must be consulted before finalizing the reforms by the Governor, KPK. The Sub-Committee further recommended that a high level independent external audit every year of the Political Agent, Khyber income and expenditure carried out in order to make the existing system transparent and accountable. The Sub-Committee also recommended that FATA Parliamentarians should be consulted before finalizing the reforms in FATA, to establish a Terminal at Torkham, to increase in the duty timing of Custom staff till 5:00 pm, to provide facility of foreign exchange at National Bank of Pakistan, Torkham and removal of unnecessary Check Posts and Commander system may also be ensured.

3.MNAs Mr. Muhammad Nazir Khan, Mr. Ghalib Khan, Begum Tahira Bukhari, Ms. Iffat Liaqat, Mr. Bilal Rehman, Mr. Nasir Khan and Sahibzada Tariq Ullah were present in the meeting.