PESHAWAR : The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that there were huge potentials in various fields and sufficient natural resources in the province which could be utilized for elimination of poverty and backwardness.

“It is the time that the international community and friendly countries should come forward and helped the government bring under best utilization these resources,” Hoti said while talking to South Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Shin Un, who called on him at Peshawar.

During their meeting, various issues including the government efforts for peace and stability in the insurgency hit areas of the province, development strategies and opportunities for the investors in various fields were discussed.

Shin Un on the occasion told Chief Minister that his government was interested in giving boost to various sectors in the province. He said that the project of Lowari Tunnel is expected to be completed this year which will usher in new era of prosperity for the people of Chitral and Upper Dir.

He further said the government of South Korea was willing to invest in mineral sector and boost to Buddha related tourism in the province.

Speaking on the occasion Hoti said that the incumbent provincial government wanted to arrange a comprehensive presentation to the investors of South Korea and its friendly countries regarding investment opportunities in various sectors including urban development.

Chief Minister urged the ambassador for a special quota to send highly educated and skilled youth of the province to South Korea keeping in view the internal security and geographical situation of the Frontier Province.

He said without compromising over the writ of the government, two agreements were reached with local Taliban leaders within a short span of two months. “After the release of Sufi Mohammad, situation in Swat and Malakand has highly improved,” the Chief Minister said.

Hoti brushed aside the speculations that there was any parallel judicial system or Taliban courts were in the offing in Swat district. “We have also requested the federal government to take forward their talks with the local leaders in the insurgency-plagued areas in Fata,” Hoti said.

Chief Minister said that to root out terrorism from the region, Pakistan and Afghanistan have to work together as peace in Afghanistan, Fata and its adjacent settled areas was interlinked.

Hoti turned down the misperception that the tribesmen only get education from religious seminaries, saying majority of the youth there was equipped with latest contemporary know-how of modern education. “The tribesmen are progressive and loyal citizens of the country,” Hoti added. APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2008

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