RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan has said that Pakistan-Iran relations have historical perspective and the two countries have common traditions. He said that common bonds between Pakistan and Iran make their relationship special. This he said while talking to the Acting Consul General of Iran Syed Hamayun Amir Khalili who called on him at the Governor’s House, Peshawar.

The governor said visiting each other countries would further boost the existing brotherly relations. He apprised the Iranian Consul General of the post war scenario in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the ongoing measures for rehabilitation, reconstruction, stability and enhancing income resources of the tribal population.

The governor said in the decade old war against terrorism the gallant tribesmen offered a lot of sacrifices. Millions of them were displaced from their homes and the whole infrastructure in the tribal belt including big and small industries was destroyed which needed reconstruction and revival. He said the government wanted to explore ways and means to enable the tribal people to live with honour in their homes and get income generating resources so that they could be enabled to earn cash money for their livelihood.

Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan lauded the successful operation Zarb-e-Azb and called upon the national and international community to extend their good share in making investment in FATA with an aim to improve the socio-economic condition of the tribesmen.

He said the education sector needed more attention and that was why the government was opening model schools and extending other academic facilities in FATA. He said resources constraint was a major issue in FATA and substantial investment was needed to provide back up to the tribal masses. He said a large number of projects, including small dams, irrigation projects, mineral exploration units; marble city, solar systems and many special packages were in the pipeline for the welfare of the tribesmen enabling them to utilize their capacities in rebuilding the damaged economy. He hoped that after that FATA would be converted into a developed zone.

The Iranian consul general greatly commended efforts of the governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards reconstruction, rehabilitation and stability of FATA and said that the people of Pakistan were as dear to him as the people of Iran. He said he wanted the relationship reaches new bounds and heights. He said “We hope to see a better future for the people of the war affected tribal region of Pakistan and assure full coordination to Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan in his constructive measures for the improvement and development of the tribesmen.”

He said both the countries were cooperating and forming alliances in a number of areas of mutual interest and expressed his optimism that those relations would continue to expand and both the countries would continue to support each others for the larger interest of the Muslims.