United States ambassador Ryon C. Crocker on Monday reiterated the US commitment to help and assist the Pakistan government overcome the disaster-related problems.
During a meeting with NWFP governor Commander Khalil-ur-Rehman while accompanied by Ms Shirin Raziuddin Tahirkheli, head of the US delegation to the UN Commission on Human Rights and seven other officials of the US embassy, he pledged that the US government would continue its financial support to develop the tribal areas and hinted at enhancing co-operation in the education and communication sectors.
The US envoy appreciated the efforts made for the eradication of poppy from the Federally Administrated Area. However, he noted with concern the return of poppy crop in certain pockets and suggested that the growers should be persuaded for alternate cash crops.
Talking on the occasion, the provincial governor lauded the help and assistance extended by the US government for the earthquake affectees saying "we are grateful for this moral and material support".
The governor particularly referred to the generous pledge made by the US representative during the International Donors Conference and said that it would prove helpful to overcome issues of relief and rehabilitation of the affectees.
He said, the donors' conference went very well which also showed that the international community had equally shared our grievances.
Referring to the US assistance in the overall development of Fata the governor said that many projects funded by the USAID and other donor agencies, had been completed whereas others were under implementation.
He lauded the generous assistance of the US government in this regard and said that the government of Pakistan was committed to remove the backwardness of the area and also to raise the living standard of the people by initiating income-generating projects.
He cited the example of mineral development projects in Fata saying that in Kurram Agency alone such projects would provide employment to over 1000 female workers. He also mentioned the rich copper deposits found in Waziristan area and said that efforts were being made for full utilisation of these natural resources in the best interest of the people and the area.
Governor Khalil also pointed towards the agriculture potential of the Fata saying, "we have focused on community farming in some areas that gave good results". Regarding the eradication of poppy cultivation, the governor assured the US envoy that the Fata would be purged of the menace through persuasion. In this regard, he referred to the political work being carried out by the tribal administration in which the tribes were being bound under agreements to avoid poppy cultivation.