Frontier Mine Owners Association (FMOA) on Wednesday demanded assistance for reconstruction of the marble factories in the turbulent districts Swat and Buner, saying marble industry is the main sources of income for the people of the area.
'The government must utilise all resources for the reconstruction of the destroyed marble factories and mines that would help masses in provision of jobs,' president of FMOA, Syed Abdullah, demanded, while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday. Due to insurgency in Buner and its surroundings, the owners and workers, affiliated with marble industry were ahead 240 million each month, which has added in their miseries, he said.
Giving the details of losses due to militancy, he said that around 184,000 people, who were working in factories, have been deprived of their jobs. Prior to the emergence of Taliban in Buner a few months back, there were 500 factories, which were in running conditions and digging in the 1000 mines.
He drew attention of the government towards the importance of the marble factories in Buner and said that total production in the country 50 per cent marble is being produced and polished in Buner.
He further said that the precious machinery installed in the marble factories have either severely damaged due to shelling or have been stolen by the miscreants as the owners of factories and workers have fled the area after launching the military operation.