Our Correspondent
\nBannu
\nPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday laid foundation stone of the Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan, state media reported.
\nWhile addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of the dam, Nawaz termed it the beginning of a new era in North Waziristan saying \u201cit symbolises the end of an era of fear\u201d.
\nThis development comes exactly a day after the federal cabinet approved the recommendations put forth by a reforms committee to bring the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the mainstream.
\n\u201cYou are aware that this change has not come all of a sudden, but a lot of sacrifices were rendered to achieve this,\u201d the premier said. The development of Fata has always been part of our agenda and we have initiated programmes to this effect, he maintained.
\nNawaz expressed hope that the internally dislaced people will return to their homes by the end of this year.
\n\u201cThe Kurram Tangi Dam project will cost Rs23 billion and will be completed in two phases. The first phase will be funded by US Aid while the expenses for the second phase will be covered by the government,\u201d announced Nawaz.
\nThe dam, which will produce 83.4 megawatts of electricity, will be completed in two phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in two years time.
\nKurram Tangi Dam is a low-cost project with the capacity to store an ample amount of water which help reduce flooding in the surrounding areas.
\n\u201cIt will also help overcome floods in the area besides bringing socio-economic improvement in the area,\u201d read the statement issued by the state-broadcaster.
\nThe project will also irrigate vast areas in North Waziristan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our Correspondent Bannu Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday laid foundation stone of the Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan, state media reported. While addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of the dam, Nawaz termed it the beginning of a new era in North Waziristan saying \u201cit symbolises the end of an era […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":518,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13686","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n