Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Masood Kausar has said that the feasibility studies for construction of 25 small dams in Fata are progressing and a number of projects of similar nature are also ready for implementation to ensure food security in the area, besides generating job opportunities.
Speaking during a briefing arranged by Fata Development Authority for the ambassadors of some of the countries already engaged in the development process meant for the areas, the governor said that despite experiencing worst type of terrorism and militancy in the area, development activities have continued.
Apart from this, it was stated that solar and wind oriented energy development projects are also the focal points for ensuring rapid development in Fata and under a plan, 450 villages have been envisaged to be energised through this system. Work on solar energy projects in 50 villages of Fata is already progressing which will also prove helpful in replacing the existing costly system of pumping water for agriculture as well as drinking purposes.
As far as the mineral sector is concerned, the guests were informed that almost 85 percent area of the entire area has already been geologically explored by Fata Development Authority wherein apart from high quality marble, chromite, precious stones, soap stones, Barite, copper gold, granite, nickel, gypsum, lime stone etc, oil and gas reserves area also available. Fata direly needs resources and latest technologies to exploit the well-determined hidden wealth, it was added.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunhwa expressed deep gratitude to the friendly countries for their co-operation and support in the ongoing efforts of the government of Pakistan for ensuring socio-economic development particularly in Fata. He said, "we have a number of more potential and feasible projects in many sectors especially in water resources and mineral sectors and would welcome more generous co-operation from our well-wishers to materialise them".
The completion of nine projects of small dams over the last few years is the best example in this respect and the keeping in view the ground realities, the government have made an allocation of Rs 15 billion for the current financial year for this purpose. Barrister Masood Kausar, while extending his warm welcome to the guests, said the occurrence of militancy and terrorism oriented subversive incidents during the recent past are the tragic part of the history of Fata.
He also thanked the guests for taking pain to visit the Governor's House, Nathiagali and said that keeping in view the pace with which the situation in FATA is moving towards normalisation, he would be able to take them to the tribal agencies as well. High Commissioners of Bangladesh and Kenya, ambassadors of the Republic of Turkey, Republic of Italy, Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Federal Republic of Germany, Switzerland and Kenya as well as the Additional Chief Secretary, Fata Mr Fazal Karim Khattak attended the briefing.
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