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Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank wing rates $212.379m Fata TDPs project as ‘highly relevant'
ISLAMABAD: The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank has rated 'Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) Emergency Recovery Project' of worth $212.379 million as highly relevant and satisfactory, as the project exceeded almost all the output targets. The Group in its 'Implementation Completion Report (ICR) Review' stated that the original project was financed by a $75 million credit, followed by additional financings of $114 million, $15 million, and $12 million (the latter two through Bank-administered Multi-Donor Trust Funds), bringing total planned financing to $216 million. $210.1 million was actually disbursed, with the difference due to exchange rate fluctuations. The original Project Development Objective (PDO) was to 'support the early recovery of families affected by the militancy crisis, promote child health, and strengthen emergency response safety net delivery systems in the affected areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).' Revision to the PDO was done in two stages via restructurings administered through additional financings. World Bank rates $118m KP project as 'moderately satisfactory' In 2019, in order to expand the project into the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and to increase the type of services delivered, the PDO was slightly revised to becomes as follows: 'to support the early recovery of families affected by the militancy crisis, promote child health, and enhance citizen-centered service delivery in the tribal districts of KP province'. In 2021, the PDO was again modified: 'to support the early recovery of families affected by the militancy crisis, promote child health, and enhance citizen-centered service delivery in the selected districts of KP.' The project's overall rating is satisfactory, which is consistent with minor shortcomings in project design and implementation. The project was highly relevant and aligned to both government and Bank priorities. There was substantial project efficiency. Efficacy of objectives was rated substantial. The project succeeded in reaching a large number of households and provided them with unconditional and conditional cash transfers. Equally, it managed to fully vaccinate a high number of children, the majority of whom were girls. It also expanded service delivery in terms of both geographical coverage and the types of services offered. However, given the lack of information regarding the number of TDPs that retuned to FATA, it is not possible to determine the extent to which the project was able to incentivize the return of TDPs. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence regarding the extent to which the grants were able to smooth consumption given that over time they were not increased to reflect the higher cost of living. The project was highly relevant, as it addressed the development challenges faced by the government of Pakistan, namely: (1) high number of TDPs, (2) inadequate child health outcomes, and (3) lack of social services in the targeted areas. The project was aligned with the government's strategies and sectoral policies. Specifically, it was in line with the government's National Social Protection Strategy, including preventing households and individuals from falling into poverty due to shocks. Furthermore, the project contributed to the Fata Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy, which identified social protection as one of the top priority sectoral interventions, with cash transfers as an important tool for the emergency response and recovery. Initially, 306,471 displaced families (list provided by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were made part of the Livelihood Support Grant (LSG) caseload. An additional 144,591 families - constituting 32 per cent of the final caseload - were added based on the grievances that were lodged after the project was launched. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
US advises its citizens in Pak to leave active conflict zones
Islamabad: The US mission in Pakistan issued a security alert to American citizens on Wednesday, advising them to depart from areas of active conflict zones. This came hours after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine high-value terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians. "We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments. US citizens are reminded of the 'Do Not Travel' advisory for areas in the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, and the US Department of State's 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for Pakistan generally," the diplomatic mission said in a statement. The US Department of State had issued a travel advisory in March, also urging its citizens to "reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict." "Do Not Travel to: Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, which include the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism. The immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict," the advisory stated. India stressed that Operation Sindoor was a calibrated military action, not an act of escalation. "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution," the government said. Foreign Secretary Misri underlined that India's objective was to dismantle terror infrastructure without endangering civilians or provoking wider conflict. "Operation Sindoor was a proportionate and responsible response to Pakistan's ongoing support for terrorism," he said. He added that in the days since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had only issued denials and accusations instead of acting against the perpetrators.
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Business Standard
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Do not travel to Pakistan: US government issues advisory to its citizens
Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the US Department of State on Wednesday advised the US citizens to not travel to Pakistan. This advisory came after India launched strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan on Wednesday. The US Department of State said, 'We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments.' The warning reminds US citizens that there is already a 'Do Not Travel' alert for areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control because of terrorism and possible armed conflict. It also points to a broader 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for all of Pakistan. They issued this advisory to US travellers currently in the region: 'We advise US citizens to depart areas of active conflict if they can safely do so or to shelter in place. The US Embassy will send updates as needed through our message system.' Actions for US citizens to take: Exercise caution and leave the area if you find yourself unexpectedly in the vicinity of military activities. Shelter in place if you cannot relocate. Review your personal security plan. Monitor local media for updates. Keep a low profile and be aware of your surroundings. Carry identification and cooperate with authorities. US travel advisory for Pak, dated March 7 This isn't the first warning. In March, the US had already asked its citizens to stay away from Pakistan due to terror threats. At that time, it had said, 'Do not travel to Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, which include the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism. The immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.' India retaliates with 'Operation Sindoor' On Wednesday morning, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine sites used by terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The action came after the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians, including a citizen of Nepal, were killed. The Indian Defence Ministry said, 'Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.' 'India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and methods of execution,' it added. The Indian government said it acted to keep its promise of holding those responsible for the massacre accountable, 'These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.'
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US mission issues security alert in Pakistan, advises citizens to leave areas of active conflict
The US Mission in Pakistan on Wednesday issued a security alert advising American citizens to leave areas of active conflict, saying it is 'closely monitoring developments' following Operation Sindoor launched by India targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Security personnel stand guard in Srinagar on Wednesday. (AFP Photo) The security alert, titled 'Military Activity and Closed Airspace', said, 'We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments. 'US citizens are reminded of the 'Do Not Travel' advisory for areas in the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, and the US Department of State's 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for Pakistan generally,' the alert said. 'We are also aware that airspace has been closed, and many flights have been cancelled,' it added. Through the alert, the US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan advised American citizens to 'depart areas of active conflict if they can safely do so, or to shelter in place.' It said that US citizens should exercise caution and 'leave the area if you find yourself unexpectedly in the vicinity of military activities, shelter in place if they cannot relocate, review personal security plan, keep a low profile and be aware of surroundings and carry identification and cooperate with authorities.' In March, the US State Department issued a travel advisory to reconsider travel to Pakistan 'due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict'. 'Do Not Travel to: Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, which include the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism and to the immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict,' the advisory stated. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in a strong response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The April 22 attack, carried out by the terror organisation The Resistance Front, killed 26 civilians. 'India has credible leads, technical inputs, testimony of the survivors and other evidence pointing towards the clear involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in this attack,' the Indian Embassy in Washington had said in a statement. 'India's actions have been focused and precise. They were measured, responsible and designed to be non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani civilian, economic or military targets have been hit. Only known terror camps were targeted,' it had said.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: US mission issues security alert in Pak, advises citizens to leave areas of active conflict
Following India's 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack, the US Mission in Pakistan issued a security alert. It advises American citizens to leave conflict zones or shelter in place, citing potential armed conflict and airspace closures. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The US Mission in Pakistan on Wednesday issued a security alert advising American citizens to leave areas of active conflict, saying it is "closely monitoring developments" following Operation Sindoor launched by India targeting terror infrastructure in security alert, titled 'Military Activity and Closed Airspace', said, "We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments."US citizens are reminded of the 'Do Not Travel' advisory for areas in the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, and the US Department of State's 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for Pakistan generally," the alert said."We are also aware that airspace has been closed, and many flights have been cancelled," it the alert, the US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan advised American citizens to "depart areas of active conflict if they can safely do so, or to shelter in place."It said that US citizens should exercise caution and "leave the area if you find yourself unexpectedly in the vicinity of military activities, shelter in place if they cannot relocate, review personal security plan, keep a low profile and be aware of surroundings and carry identification and cooperate with authorities."In March, the US State Department issued a travel advisory to reconsider travel to Pakistan "due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict"."Do Not Travel to: Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, which include the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism and to the immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict," the advisory launched 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in a strong response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The April 22 attack, carried out by the terror organisation The Resistance Front, killed 26 civilians."India has credible leads, technical inputs, testimony of the survivors and other evidence pointing towards the clear involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in this attack," the Indian Embassy in Washington had said in a statement."India's actions have been focused and precise. They were measured, responsible and designed to be non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani civilian, economic or military targets have been hit. Only known terror camps were targeted," it had said.
