PESHAWAR, Nov 13: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar on Sunday asked the overseas Pakistani philanthropists to come forward for investment in Fata and assist the government in its efforts to bring a true development revolution in the tribal region.

He was talking to a 20-member delegation of overseas Pakistanis, mostly belonging to Fata and running their businesses in UAE, which called on him at Governor House.“It's a good opportunity for investment as the situation in Fata is coming to normal and the government is willing to facilitate the investors,” the governor assured.

The meeting was the follow up of an earlier meeting took place in Dubai during a recent visit of the governor to UAE. The delegation was led by Syed Qayyum Shah.

Fata Development Authority (FDA) chief executive, secretary to governor, secretary finance Fata, director general projects Fata, secretary administration Fata and others were also present.

Participants were also given presentation on investment opportunities in Fata.Mr Masood Kausar appreciated the keen interest the overseas Pakistanis had shown for investment in the tribal areas and assured that the government and the political administration would provide them security, support and facilities in materialising their investment plans.

The governor said that financially stable overseas Pakistanis should utilise their financial resources for the bright future, development and prosperity of their brethren and their ancestral abodes.

“You are the sons of the soil and are better placed to play your role in the development of Fata with keen interest and maximum focus,” the governor emphasised.

He said that peace and development were the two main priorities of the government and whoever came forward to supplement it would be welcome.

The governor said that Fata had many potentials and was full of indigenous resources, which if exploited vigorously, would bring a true revolution in these poverty-hit and development-scarce areas, whose residents possessed many qualities of heart and mind but had been lacking opportunities.

He admitted that law and order remained a problem impeding development efforts but said that the situation was now far better than in the past and was moving to normalcy. “We have made some basic policy shifts in Fata owing to the changed scenario,” the governor said, adding the administration had been instructed to forget about the colonial attitude and prove to be people-friendly.

He said that 60 per cent of Fata population comprised of youth, who needed to be made self-sufficient. “We are trying to equip the uneducated youth with technical skills and open new avenues for jobs not only in Fata but in the country as well as abroad,” he said.

He also asked the overseas Pakistanis to guide the government about the job market requirements abroad so that tribal youth could be specifically trained in those particular trades.

Talking about the suggestions, proposals and demands put forward by members of the delegation, the governor assured that a mechanism would be devised to address these issues.—APP