IMMENSE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL EXISTS IN MOUNTAIN AREAS OF THEPakistan

IMMENSE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL EXISTS IN MOUNTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY DEPUTY SPEAKER NA
         
Islamabad; March 19, 2012: Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly has said that mountain areas of Pakistan have immense economic potential which if properly exploited could generate employments opportunities, revenue and energy. He said that presently the country was going through energy crisis, therefore, initiation of hydel energy projects would help overcome this crisis. He said this while addressing a seminar jointly organized by ICIMOD and Ministry of National Food Security and Research on the sustainable mountain development in Islamabad today.

Faisal Karim Kundi said that people of the mountains were highly resilient and hardworking, He said that strengthening of their livelihood, promoting energy alternatives and their capacity building initiatives would be beneficial for the country. He said that the mountainous areas had faced worst natural calamities during the recent year’s flash flood which has resulted in mass migration, destruction of livelihoods and of natural habitat. He said that Government of Pakistan is well aware of the plight of these areas and had allocated substantial amounts for the purpose; however, support of its development partners was still required.

While mentioning suffering of the people of mountain area belonging to Suleman Rod kohi region the Deputy Speaker said that in Suleman Rod kohi region population was more than 5 million and badly suffered from natural hazard. He said that devastating flood of 2010 had played havoc in the infrastructure livelihood of people of this region. He stressed the need for development of the area and to address the problems faced by inhabitant of area.  He said that stability in mountain areas were imperative for sustainability and fertile agriculture productive system in the plane of country. He expressed the desire for the promotion of mountain specific technology and knowledge in the mountain areas of the country.

Appreciating the efforts of management of ICIMOD for organizing consultation meeting he said this meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to national and provincial institutions of the country to team-up with ICIMOD and implement socio-economic for the poorest and poor in the mountains of Pakistan. He extended his all out support to ICIMOD.

Mr. Saleem Khan, Minister for Population, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, representatives of CM Gilgit Balistan, DG ICIMOD and other speakers also addressed the meeting and highlighted the importance of the mountain.