Tapping K-P and FATA’s mineral resources

University professor aims to bring an economic revolution in the region by properly engineering its mineral potential.

PESHAWAR: The first national conference on “material processing, characterisation, properties and their economic potential” will be held from December 1 till 3 here at the University of Peshawar.

“Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Fata have one of the best mineral reserves in world but unfortunately these have not been properly utilised for revenue generation,” said Principle Organiser of Material Research Laboratory (MRL) at the University of Peshawar, Prof Dr Yasin Iqbal.

He said the conference aims at materializing resources and coordinating studies to engineer the tremendous mineral wealth potential in the country, especially in KP and Fata region. Senior scientists and academics will be participating in the event to share technical know-how and suggest best exploring and engineering techniques for the extraction of minerals.

Along with poor law and order situation in the country, primitive exploring and engineering techniques are the reason why these mineral resources have not yet been properly tapped, said Dr Iqbal.

“By properly engineering the region’s mineral potential, we can bring an economic revolution in Fata.” Employment opportunities will be generated for the locals and will ultimately add to the country’s GDP growth, he added.

Dr Iqbal said MRL is training locals from Fata so they can generate the potential of their own locality without facing much hurdles.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2010.