PESHAWAR, May 21: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday declared the donors’ assistance vital for good governance.“Political, administrative and financial responsibilities of our government have increased due to 18th Amendment and therefore, the donors’ assistance and cooperation is essential for better dispensation of these responsibilities,” he told a high-level Swiss delegation during a meeting at Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.

Swiss Assistant State Secretary for Asia and Pacific Division Beat Nobs led the delegation, which consisted of Swiss ambassador Christoph Bubb, senior regional coordinator (political affairs) Peter Nelson, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation country director Andreas Huber, Embassy of Switzerland deputy head Nicolas Plattner and defence attaché Lt-Colonel Marcus Maedar, according to an official release issued here.

Maters pertaining to bilateral relations, collective situation of the region, reconstruction and rehabilitation of terrorism and flood devastated infrastructure, development strategy of the province particularly initiatives in education sector, progress on ongoing schemes with assistance of Switzerland and other matters of mutual interests came under discussion during the meeting.

The chief minister thanked the Swiss government for assistance and services in construction and development in the province. He said the current circumstances in the province demanded promotion of education as the government believed extremism could be defeated by spreading light of education.

“We are following policy of ensuring access of common man to education at all levels and priority is being given to the girls’ education,” he said, adding that his government had decided to spend four per cent of its resources on development of education sector in the province.

Mr Hoti said scores of primary, middle and high schools, over 50 colleges and seven universities had been established in length and breadth of the province since the formation of his government four years ago.

He also apprised the delegation of steps taken by his government for rehabilitation and reconstruction of terrorism and flood-devastated infrastructure in light of the recommendations of donors and said the provincial development funds had already been shifted to the cause.

The chief minister said terrorism was a way of thinking and unemployment, poverty and illiteracy boosted it.

“The gap created due to these elements (unemployment, poverty and illiteracy) was utilised by militants for their evil agenda. We are heading in the right direction for filling this gap,” he said.

Mr Hoti said his government had begun work on projects made under action plan of provincial hydel power generation to contribute to the national efforts for overcoming energy crisis. He said a total of 2100megwatts electricity would be generated through 24 powerhouses.

The delegates praised Mr Hoti-led government over restoration of peace, rehabilitation and reconstruction work, and development in the province.

They also apprised the chief minister of mineral and tourism potential in Switzerland and said their government would provide all possible assistance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in development, especially education sector.