Twelve Districts Are Severely Impacted by Terrorism, and Securing Development Remains Our Top Priority, States ARDC Information Adviser Mahmood Jan Babar
ISLAMABAD: 12 districts of KP are so much affected by the terrorism, which requires good governance and immediate development of these areas is foremost priority of government, told Adviser for Information to ARDC Mahmood Jan Babar.
In an appearance on a current affairs TV show, Babar pointed out that if the right jobs had been created in the country in the past, there would have been no need to force the local youth into the arms of the terrorists. He said that these 12 critical districts are being directly supervised and monitored by the Prime Minister himself.
Here are some of the highlights from the TV interview with Mahmood Jan Babar.
Socio-economic Deprivation and Militancy: Babar pointed out that the under-developed areas such as Tirah are decades behind the development of Peshawar, even today having a single working school. He highlighted the economic hardship of the situation in which the young people, who are vulnerable, accept a monthly allowance from militant groups of between 15,000 and 30,000 rupees, which makes it easy for them to take up arms.
Role of the Development Council: Babar said the 48 council members were well-respected tribal leaders and chieftains from their respective families who have suffered martyrdom, ensuring that the council is truly local.
To show the government’s resolve on providing these districts with adequate funds, Babar said that the money in NFC would be used for the purpose and the Prime Minister had declared funding would not be a hindrance anymore and all the resources would be mobilized to change the lives of the people of the NFC region and get them involved in productive economic activities.