US hires private firm to monitor its projects in Pakistan's tribal areas

Washington, Jan 17 : To ensure that its funds were used for the purpose they were meant for, the Bush administration is learnt to have hired a private firm - Development Alternatives, Incorporated - to monitor the US-funded projects in Pakistan, particularly in the tribal areas.

The projects include efforts to strengthen livelihoods, expand economic opportunities and improve education and healthcare.

The US is giving 750-million-dollar-aid to Pakistan to help develop its remote tribal region.

The US Agency for International Development is responsible for the disbursement of this fund. The agency has now signed a 43 million-dollar contract with the private company for monitoring the US-funded projects.

The company will help the Pakistani government and non-governmental organisations (NGOS) to plan, implement and monitor a wide range of development programmes.

The US government was forced to hire the monitoring agency for its projects in Pakistan following widespread complaints that the funds given to Pakistan were not used for the projects they were meant for. Key US congressional panels have also backed these complaints, reported the Dawn.

ANI