China provides $10 million to Pakistan for rehabilitation of people displaced by military ops

ISLAMABAD: China today pledged to provide $10 million to all-weather friend Pakistan for the rehabilitation of people displaced due to military operations in the restive tribal region, officials said.

The agreement to provide the special grant was signed between Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong and secretary economic affairs division Muhammad Saleem Sethi here.

"China firmly supports the efforts of Pakistan to safeguard its national security and the Chinese side will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the reconstruction and livelihood improvements of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)," according to a statement by the Chinese embassy.

An official of finance ministry said that the grant from China will be utilised for the assistance of people of tribal areas who have suffered due to war on terror.

Over a million people were forced to flee their homes when army launched operation in the Taliban stronghold of North Waziristan last June.

More than 90 per cent of the district has already been cleared of militants and the government had launched a programme for the phased return of people to their areas.

Last year also, the Chinese government provided USD 10 million to help the internally-displaced persons (IDPs).

Chinese president Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in April and announced the $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor in April.