Samar seeks 13-year recruitment, budget record of KP relief dept

PESHAWAR
Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor on information, public relations, relief, rehabilitation and settlement Samar Haroon Bilour has sought a comprehensive record of recruitments, budget allocations and development projects undertaken by the Relief Department over the past 13 years.
She issued the directives while chairing an introductory meeting of the department, attended by Secretary Relief Yousaf Rahim and representatives of its attached organisations, said a handout.
The statement said the secretary briefed the adviser on the department’s administrative structure, rules, responsibilities of its attached institutions, overall performance and proposed reforms.
Officials of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) briefed the meeting on disaster preparedness, early warning systems, emergency planning, damage assessment and compensation for affected people. Rescue 1122 officials outlined their emergency response operations, including medical assistance, patient transportation, firefighting and specialised rescue services. Civil Defence representatives briefed the adviser on public safety, volunteer training and fire safety activities.
Ms Bilour directed the secretary to submit a complete and verified record of all recruitments made in the department during the past 13 years. She also sought details of budget allocations, fund releases and utilisation, as well as records of Annual Development Programme (ADP) and non-ADP schemes, covering their approval, expenditure, implementation progress and completion status.
She stressed the need for transparency and properly documented, verifiable records of all recruitment, financial and development-related matters.
The adviser said climate change, terrorism and challenges relating to the presence of undocumented foreign nationals had increased the importance of the Relief Department and its attached institutions.
She called for advance disaster preparedness, effective emergency planning and better coordination among relevant departments to ensure timely assistance during emergencies.
Ms Bilour said prompt relief, an effective emergency response and the rehabilitation of affected families were among the government’s key priorities.
She said institutional reforms, transparency and capacity-building measures would be introduced to improve the performance of the department and its attached organisations.
The adviser said all relevant institutions must focus on efficient service delivery and timely assistance to the public.