Talking to a visiting group of probation officers of Collectorate of Customs, Excise and Taxation currently under training at Karachi based Directorate of Training and Research, who called on him at Governor's House, Peshawar, the governor said, due to porous border the smugglers are applying different kind of routes and as a result illegal trade is taking place.
However, he added, as a result of the efforts being made by the government, things are improving rapidly and job opportunities are being created at the local level. Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif and Secretary, Fata Arbab Shahzad was also present on this occasion.
Responding to various points raised on this occasion, the governor said, despite the fact that different kind of law prevails in Fata but the respective people are actively taking part in the overall development and progress of the country.
Responding to another question, he said, the government is following a multidimensional approach to bring socio-economic change in the life of the respective people. In this connection, he added, infrastructure development is being focused upon through which facilities are being developed in every sector of life and we are running a full-scale programme in this respect.
Referring to a question he said development of educational facilities is receiving top most priority, which are also being equally welcomed by the respective people. Referring to a question, he agreed to a point that the literacy rate particularly amongst the women folk is miserably low and keeping this fact in mind special emphasis is being put on the expansion of institutional network for the women folk. Indeed, he added, we have made tremendous strides towards the promotion of education throughout Fata, which, he added is the only way to bring a positive change in the life of the respective people.
Responding to another question, the governor said, indeed poppy is grown in a small pocket of Fata and this time the government is determined to get rid of this curse. But, he remarked its magnitude is far less as compared to the past. However, he added, we are also focusing on the promotion of alternate means of earning for the respective people and every effort is under way to generate job activities in the area.
Talking on another point, he said, despite the fact that the land holdings in Fata are too small but even then the agriculture is a major source of earning for the maximum population of the area.
Earlier during a briefing the delegates were informed that under a multidimensional programme, devolution of powers together with the participatory approach towards the development activities is being encouraged and the response is quite satisfactorily. However, he remarked, all this demands resources and time and the government is sparing no efforts in this respect.
Collector Customs, Peshawar as well as the Director Training of the Directorate of Training and Research of the Collectorate also accompanied the delegates.