Generating employment: Govt approval sought to set up industrial zone in Bara

Former parliamentarian says China has agreed to fund the project.

PESHAWAR: Former parliamentarian and chairman of Pakistan Qabail Tehreek Haji Muhammad Shah Afridi has asked the government to give them permission to set up an industrial zone in Khyber Agency.

Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, Shah said they have selected a site in Akakhel area of Bara sub-division, Khyber Agency where they want to set up an industrial hub to create employment for the people from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

“We have partnered with China for this purpose and allocated $500million,” said Shah, adding $50million has been transferred for startup and all they require now is the government’s permission.

People in Fata need employment and education, emphasised the former parlimentarian.



War and militancy have affected all sectors of life and this will be a much-needed initiative, said Shah.

“Markets in Bara have been closed for years and that has brought down business activities in the region to a great extent.”



Shah claimed the creation of an industrial zone in Bara will generate jobs. Each worker will receive a monthly salary of Rs15,000, he maintained.

Shah further said the site which has been selected has ample amount of gas and oil to run the industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2013.