PESHAWAR: Overseas Pakistani to come forward to investment in FATA and support the government of its true endeavour to bring revolution in form of development, said by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar on Sunday.
He was talking to a 20-member delegation of overseas Pakistanis; mostly belonging to FATA and running their businesses in UAE, which called on him at Governor's House.
"It's a good opportunity for investment as the situation in FATA is coming to normal with fast track and the government is all out to support them all the way", the Governor said.
The meeting was the follow up of an earlier meeting took place in Dubai during a recent visit of the Governor to UAE. The delegation was led by Syed Qayyum Shah and attended by the Chief Executive FDA, Secretary to Governor, Secretary Finance FATA, Director General Projects FATA, Secretary Administration FATA and other officials of FATA Secretariat and FDA.
Participants of the meeting were also given presentation on investment opportunities in FATA by the Chief Executive FDA and Secretary A&C FATA. In his opening remarks the Governor while welcoming the visiting guests appreciated the keen interest they have shown for investment in FATA and assured that the government and the political administration would provide them security, support and facilities in materializing their investment plans.
The Governor said that financially stable overseas Pakistanis should take it an ample opportunity to utilize the financial resources for the bright future, development and prosperity of their own brethren and their ancestral abodes. "You are the sons of the soil and are better placed to play your role in the development of FATA with keen interest and maximum focus", the Governor added.
He said that peace and development were the two main priorities of the government and whoever comes forward to supplement it would be welcome open heartedly.
The Governor said that FATA had many potentials and was full of indigenous resources, which if exploited vigorously would bring a true revolution in these poverty-hit and development-scarce areas, whose residents possessed many qualities of heart and mind but had been lacking opportunities.
The Governor admitted that law and order remained a problem impeding development efforts but said that the situation was now far better than past and moving to normalcy.
" We have made some basic policy shifts in FATA owing to the changed scenario", the Governor said adding that the administration had been instructed to forget about the colonial attitude and prove to be people-friendly and serving the people rather than ruling them. He said that 60 percent of FATA population was comprised of youth, who needed to be made self-sufficient in one or the other way."
We are trying to equip the uneducated youth with technical skill and know-how and open new avenues for jobs and employment not only in FATA but in the country as well as abroad too", he said.
He also asked the overseas Pakistanis to guide the government about the job market requirements abroad so that tribal youth could be specifically trained in those particular trades.
"Let's make coordinated efforts to provide an outlet to the FATA youth so that they might not be misguided by the militants and other vested interests".
Talking about the suggestions, proposals and demands put up by members of the delegation, the Governor assured that a mechanism would be devised to address the issues, raised by the delegates.
He said that the local problems would be resolved at the local level whereas for other issues, special desks would be created in FDA and FATA Secretariat to guide, facilitate and assist the investors.
Earlier, in the presentation on investment opportunities in FATA given to the delegates, it was revealed that 85 percent area in FATA had been geographically explored and multiple Minerals had been identified for exploitation and utilization.
It was told on the occasion that 5850 million tons of mineral deposits were available in Bajaur Agency alone besides coal, manganese, emerald, copper, gold, oil and gas, soapstone, limestone, graphite, chromite, gypsum and iron ore in almost every tribal Agency and FR. 230 million tons industrial grade limestone and 130 million tons gypsum was there in Sherani area of FR DIKhan, where industries like Cement, fertilizers and plaster of Paris could be established.
Other industries including Fruit and Vegetable Processing Plants in South Waziristan Agency and Kurram Agency, Marble Processing Units in Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies, and ROzs in Khyber Agency could also be promising choices. Some 120 potential sites were available in FATA for small dams wherein investment could be made.
The delegates were informed that FATA had been declared income tax free zone whereas Bank loan facility could also be availed. The TARUCCI plan includes industrial activity besides cottage industries like carpet weaving, wood work and embroidery.
FATA, being the trade gateway having at least four corridors in Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur and North Waziristan Agency towards Afghanistan and onward to Central Asia could be best for transport business, commerce and trade activities.
Leader of the delegation Syed Qayum Shah thanked the Governor for providing them an opportunity to become aware of the investment opportunities in FATA. He expressed willingness for investment on behalf of his co-delegates subject to the condition that their security concerns were addressed properly.
Overseas Pakistanis to invest in FATA: Governor
