ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: One of the most challenging jobs being faced by the government and donor agencies is to ensure revival of economic activities in the earthquake-hit parts of Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.

“Restoring economic activities in the quake-affected areas is no doubt a challenging and difficult job but it will be done through a series of measures by exploiting the agricultural, mining and water potential of both Azad Kashmir and the NWFP,” said Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Akram Sheikh.

He told Dawn that the first phase of reconstruction of the areas included development of tourism and construction of schools and colleges. The measures would create a substantial number of jobs and thus lead to an improved economic activity there, he added.

In the second phase, Dr Sheikh said, potential of agriculture, mining and water sectors would be explored along with undertaking a human resource development programme.

The whole reconstruction work would generate thousands of jobs and through them one could expect to have the economy of the affected areas revived”, he said.

In this regard, he referred to the financial and technical support being provided by the international donors agencies, particularly the Asian Development Bank.

“The ADB is fast strengthening the Earthquake Emergency Assistance Project (EEAP), which is expected to contribute to reviving economic activity and enabling people to regain livelihood, local officials of the ADB said. Infrastructure in the areas would be rehabilitated and reconstructed in three years, they said.

According to them, under the EEAP electricity supply has been restored in major parts of the affected area. A number of hydel power stations damaged by the quake have been repaired and are operational now.

Several other power sector projects have been approved and 26 small contracts for restoration and upgradation of power installations worth $1 million have been awarded.