ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has asked the representatives of European Commission to establish agricultural and technical institutes in the Northern Areas.
The minister was talking to head of European Commission for Development Michael Dale who called on him here on Thursday. The institutes are aimed at providing educational facilities in these sectors and basic vocational training, the minister added.
Mr Sherpao said the government was working towards provision of basic facilities of life to the people of Northern Areas and focusing on improving education, basic health facilities and employment opportunities for the people of these areas of the country.
The minister appreciated the efforts of Mr Dale in this regard and said: "The European Commission can be an important partner in progress of these areas."
He endorsed the idea of setting up of animal farms in the mountainous areas and asked Mr Dale to look into the details so that, if feasible, the project be launched as soon as possible.
"It is not possible for the people to have large farms and thus they rely mainly on fruits and farming for their food and livelihood owing to the topographic profile of the Northern Areas," he added.
He also stressed the need for setting up of small fruit preservation plants in the area to help preserve the food for local consumption and export. Mr Dale apprised the minister of the collaboration with Pakistani government for development in the Northern Areas.
He also briefed the minister on the EC's various ongoing projects in the areas. "It is the government's duty to provide basic medical, educational and vocational facilities in the mountainous terrain where the communication links with other parts of the country are usually served owing to land sliding and snow," Mr Sherpao said.
He said the Northern Areas of Pakistan have some of the world's most beautiful sceneries in the world. Tourism in the area could also be promoted for creating many economic activities and job opportunities, he added.-APP