“To bring about socio-economic uplift of tribesmen and to mainstream them in to the polity and economy of Pakistan, a complete restructuring of the administrative and developmental regime in FATA is essential. In addition to other initiatives in this regard, an innovative step taken by the government is the formation of “FATA Development Authority”. It has been tasked to act as the premier development institution focusing specifically on the development of economic sectors in FATA through construction of small dams, exploitation of mineral resources and imparting the FATA youth and women with skill and vocational training to enable them to earn honorable livelihood.

In order to alleviate poverty, improve the economic condition of the tribesmen and revamp the agriculture sector, the construction of small dams in FATA is a necessity that will have a long lasting and multidimensional impact on this region and will also lead to efficient water resource management, flood control and recharge of depleting underground water resources. I appreciate the progress achieved so far in this sector and hope the efforts in this respect would get further momentum with the passage of time.

The work of FATA Development Authority in the Mining sector deserves special recognition as this is the most value-added sector, having enormous potential to transform the landscape of FATA. In just four plus years since its inception, the steps taken by the FATA DA to introduce modern exploration techniques is another step in the right direction, which will not only yield more encouraging results but also ensure long term employment generation and poverty reduction.

Another major area of intervention by FATA DA is the provision of employment skills to the youth of FATA, which can lead to a major change in FATA’s social landscape. Although it is a highly appreciating effort but FATA DA should devise a mechanism so that these youth are absorbed in the job market as well. FATA DA should also be lauded for the initiative, it has taken for the development of FATA women by training them in the traditional craft of sewing and embroidery and other vocational skills thus paving the way for them to become financially independent within their traditional precincts of home and family.

Looking at its about 4 year’s performance and achievements, I do wish
FATA DA all the success in its future endeavors and fervently hope that all these efforts would bear fruit, bringing prosperity and improving living condition of our brethren in FATA. ”

Governor
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa