NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (retd) has underscored the need for creating mass awareness about the mineral potentials and its significance in the over all socio-economic uplift of the Fata people, saying the tribal area would meet a revolutionary change if these natural resources were properly and scientifically explored and exploited.
He was talking to a delegation of Strategic Working Group, comprising its Chairman Ihasanullah and Shahidur Rehman, which called on him here at the Governor's House on Tuesday.
Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif and Fata Minerals Director Muhammad Yaqoob Shah were also present during the meeting. They discussed the avenues and strategy for mineral development in Fata with particular reference to the marble deposits in Mohmand Agency.
The governor said that the Fata people must realise that they were sitting on a gold mine and should not waste this natural wealth by disputing the mines and deposits.
This wrangling, he added, would put them in loss. He said that Fata as a whole was rich in mineral resources and a comprehensive study should be carried out to identify the priority areas and deposits. "We should take in hand whichever is accessible first", the Governor said, adding, "We should also make efforts to attract foreign investors and initiate joint ventures with active participation of private sector and entrepreneurs."
Meanwhile, Maulana Abdul Malik, MNA, from South Waziristan also called on the Governor at the Governor's House. He remained with the governor and discussed the situation of South Waziristan. The governor highlighted the efforts being made by the government to bring peace and normalcy in the area, and said that the public representatives have a key role to play in this regard.