The Additional Chief Secretary Fata Secretariat, Habibullah Khan has underlined the need of durable peace and security in Fata and said it had always remained the utmost endeavour of the government to create an environment for socio-economic uplift of the tribesmen.
Addressing a one-day workshop on 'Multiple indicator cluster survey and cost of conflict' in Fata, the Additional Chief Secretary said government's keen interest in the swift development of Fata is well reflected from record allocations of Rs 10350 million earmarked in Annual Development Programme 2009-1210.
However the phenomenon of terrorism and extremism has adversely hit the development process and limited economic activity. There is urgent need of peace and tranquillity for accelerating the pace of development to achieve the cherished goal of speedy uplift of Fata, he maintained.
The Additional Chief Secretary dwelt at length on the advantages of multiple indicators cluster survey and the damage caused to public and private property and infrastructure as a result of terrorist activities and urged the tribesmen to extend a helping hand to the government in its efforts to purge Fata from anti-government elements who are out to tarnish the image of Pakistan.
The workshop was attended by tribal MNAs, Senators, representatives of donor organisations and high officials of Fata Secretariat. The Secretary Planning and Development Fata Secretariat Zafar Hassan gave a detailed presentation on the various aspects of multiple indicator cluster survey and key indicators pertaining to socio-economic conditions in Fata.