The seemingly perennial security situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) has badly affected the tribal people, who are largely unemployed and in desperate need of economic revival. There is good news on that front: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Mr Sardar Mehtab has told the FATA Development Authority (FDA) to establish five industrial estates in the region.
The governor has also told the officials concerned to provide Rs 10 billion to the FDA to accelerate the development process. In a recent meeting of a committee of the FATA Accelerated Economic Development Programme, the governor ordered the officials concerned to find solutions to the problems that might impede the development of the industrial estates.
According to a news report, five industrial estates will be built at feasible locations in south, central and northern FATA. Furthermore, any private limited company spanning more than 10 acres and employing 100 workers will be able to enjoy all the facilities that will be provided in the five industrial zones.
Reportedly, the FDA will monitor the gated industrial units, proposed to be built on the pattern of the Special Economic Zone, Karachi. Land in the industrial zones will be provided to the industrialists at nominal rates and FATA’s local manufacturers would be given exemption from all taxes. FATA will be divided into three zones: most-affected, moderately affected and least-affected, and economic incentives will be given accordingly.
Though the conflict-stricken FATA population still suffers from security issues, at least the development of these industrial zones in the region will likely announce an end to many of their economic problems. Furthermore, this industrial development will also create job opportunities and will address unemployment in the area to a large extent.
Let’s hope that the authorities concerned will expedite the development of these industrial zones and will take all the necessary steps to address any problems that may surface in the process.
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