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Shalman water supply scheme to cost Rs 350 million
PESHAWAR (October 22 2003): NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Retd) has assured a Zakha Khel tribal jirga that Shalman water supply scheme would be materialised at every cost saying the feasibility report of the proposed project is at the final stage.
The scheme, he said, is expected to cost about Rs 350 million.
Talking to a tribal jirga comprising elders of Zakha Khel tribe of Tehsil Landi Kotal, Khyber Agency here on Tuesday at the Governor House, he further assured the jirga that whatever resources required would be made available to complete the project, saying the completion of the project would solve the problem once for all.
Appreciating the resolve of the tribesmen of Landi Kotal regarding completely avoiding poppy cultivation in their respective areas, he said, "it is a big decision for which they are praise worthy."
"Narcotic is a curse," he said, adding, "the sooner we get rid of it the better it would be for us individually and collectively."
While welcoming the written agreement on the matter between the tribal elders and the political administration, he said, "it is quite appreciable" and hoped the tribesmen of other areas would also follow the same line to curb the menace of poppy cultivation.
"The tribesmen of Khyber Agency have set an example, which other tribesmen should also follow," he stressed and assured the jirga that necessary inputs for the substitute cropping would be made available to the tribesmen of the respective areas.
To a point raised by the jirga the governor said, "the terrorists are trying to wage their war on our soil but we would never allow anyone to set the score at the cost of our security, sovereignty and independence."
"It is in the best interest of our country, our society and our soil not to provide safe abode to such elements," he said and reiterated that the government would not spare anyone who indulges in giving shelter to unwanted people.
He lauded the sentiments expressed earlier by the members of the jirga,
pledging to keep their areas clean from unwanted foreigners, saying "these are the misguided people who are playing with the sentiments of the faithful in the name of religion and throwing them into the gulf of fire."
Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah said: "The world is changing very fast, which demands the tribesmen to change their thoughts and ideas as well, otherwise, they would leg behind in the race for progress and development."
FOCUS ON EDUCATION: "To achieve this very target, we would have to focus on education, especially in the field of science and technology," he observed.
He said the government was fully alive to the needs of the hour and was focusing a lot on education in Fata. "We have chalked out a well-thought plan for educational development in the tribal areas," he said, adding "under the policy, not only the existing educational institutions are strengthened but new educational institutions are also being opened."
The governor in this connection, also referred to the offers extended by certain friendly countries and donor agencies saying the Norwegian government has come out with a plan to open 350 community schools in Fata besides the US, Japanese and British government, which have also shown interest in the development of education sector in the Fata.
"We would take full advantage of these offers to strengthen the education base and enhance facilities in the field," he said.
Regarding electricity extension, he said that the tribesmen would have to agree to a viable solution of the problem, "as the government can no longer afford to bear the expenses in this regard."
The power consumers in the tribal area would have to pay for the utility, which is a set procedure, the governor said.
Courtesy Business Recorder
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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