RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (Safron) held its meeting here at the Parliament House on Monday.

Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman chaired the meeting. The Committee was briefed on the updated position of Afghan refugees in Pakistan alongwith details of their repatriation process and relief assistance being provided to them.

The Director General Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) also briefed the Committee about Nahaqi Kandao Tunnel and Ghalanai Mohammad Gath Road, Mohmand Agency.

The Committee was also informed about the working activities of irrigation department, Fata Secretariat, alongwith complete details about achievements of the last five years. The officials said the Directorate of Irrigation had been involved in developing and managing surface and ground water resources as well as undertaking flood mitigation measures. It is headed by a director with his representative in each agency. The main function of the directorate is to utilise available water in an efficient way to achieve high intensity irrigation, construct storage reservoirs at floodways (flood nullahs) for the utilisation of barren land for agriculture, tap small to medium hydro power potential, explore groundwater potential and make best use through dug wells/tube wells for land beyond the command of perennial source.