The way forward: ‘Economic activities will improve living standards in FATA’

Bringing tribespeople into mainstream important, says governor

PESHAWAR: Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has pressed for a series of economic activities and marketing ventures to improve living standards in the tribal belt. 

This was stated in a handout issued on Friday. According to the document, Mehtab was speaking at a meeting to kick-start oil and gas activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. During the moot, Mehtab insisted tribespeople should be engaged in economic activities to introduce positive changes in the tribal belt. “Through such initiatives, the people of Fata will be able to respectably earn a living,” read the handout. “We must try to bring tribespeople back into the mainstream.”

During the meeting, Tullow Pakistan (Developments) Ltd Country Manager Muzaffar Ahmed Virk put forward his company’s plan to excavate oil from the tribal belt.

“Virk told the governor about the company’s plans to establish a permanent base camp in the tribal belt,” stated the handout. “He added people will be evacuated from the exploration site and will be settled in a base camp.” According to the handout, Mehtab advised the company manager to execute its plans with an open mind and focus on raising living standards in the region through profitable ventures.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2015.