KHAR: Speakers at a conference here on Monday said that asked the government to take effective steps for promotion of education in tribal districts.

The conference titled ‘Fears and expectations of youth in the newly merged areas’ was organised by Bajaur Students Organisation ( BSO) at Government Degree College Barkholozo Mamond.

The speakers said that education was vital for progress and development of society. However, they said that standard of education in the merged districts was poor and unsatisfactory.

They said that the people of tribal districts knew the importance of education and wanted to impart modern education to their children. However, they said that tribal districts had been ignored in education sector since along.

The speakers asked the government to take tangible steps for promotion of education in tribal districts.

They also urged the students to get education at any cost as lack of education was the root cause of human sufferings in the newly merged areas.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Anwarzeb Khan said that students were the backbones of a nation.

He added that young leaders were their precious assets.

PTI local chapter president Dr Khalil Rehman said that sports could be the best soft tool to curb the menace of terrorism. He said that recreational activities helped in creating a healthy atmosphere that could promote the culture of tolerance and mutual understanding.

ANP leader Maulana Khanzeb Khan said there were a lot of potential in the area that could provide employment opportunities to the people. Mining, agriculture and tourism were some of the potential areas in that regards, he added.

JI leader Qari Abdul Majeed asked the government to open Kaga Pass, Nawa Pass and Leite Pass to increase volume of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He also demanded early local government elections in the area.

Earlier, in his opening remarks Dr Ashraf Ali said that local culture and traditions had a deep-rooted inbuilt mechanism to cope with the menace of terrorism and extremism.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2019