The five years investments in Federally-Administered Tribal Area (Fata) has put tremendous impacts on the socio-economic development of these under developed areas.
During 2001-05, the literacy rate reached 22 percent as compared to 17.42 percent in 2001; the primary enrolment rate has also shown 14 percent increase, whereas the drinking water coverage has reached 43 percent of the total population as compared to 27 percent in 2001.
This was stated during a presentation to the participants of Armed Forces War Course 2005-06 at the Governor's House on Monday evening. NWFP Additional Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir Khan presided over the event on behalf of the provincial governor, whereas Fata P&D Additional Secretary Dr Tashfin Khan conducted the presentation that was also attended by the NWFP Governor's Secretary Arbab Mohammad Arif, besides Chief Instructor Major General Shahid Iqbal and faculty members of the National Defence College, Islamabad, who accompanied the Group.
Earlier, NWFP P&D Additional Secretary Mohammad Ikram Khan through a similar presentation updated the participants about the socio-economic conditions, development profile, strategy and outlay and achievements of the NWFP government in different sectors besides, the earthquake damages and relief and rehabilitation operations being carried out by the provincial government in the five affected districts of the province.
In the presentation about Fata, the participant was given a true picture of the situation on ground besides the government's efforts to raise the living standard of the people of Fata through an accelerated development process.
It was stated on the occasion that the government had set a clear vision about Fata thereby mainstreaming the tribal areas into the social, economic, and institutional fabric of the nation and to use socio-economic development and people empowerment to combat extremism.
The participants were briefed that Fata had been facing many challenges. The socio-economic indicators remained very poor as compared to other parts of the country as over 60 percent of population was living below the poverty line; 46 percent population was under 15 percent and there were less opportunities for income and employment generation. The literacy rate remained very poor particularly among females that was only 3 percent.
Regarding the development strategy devised by the present government, it was stated that on the planning side the process had been decentralised to remove un-necessary hurdles in the approval of development projects. The government is striving for building up human and institutional capacities in order to support and sustain rapid development.
To develop and mobilise the natural resources, the government is laying more emphasis on skill development, mineral development and agriculture as well as irrigation development. The opening of industrial and commercial zones in Fata are being planned that would have favourable access to markets in Pakistan and abroad.
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