Peace, development top priorities for KP: Kundi

PESHAWAR, Nov 11 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday said maintaining peace in the province was the foremost priority, saying sustainable development and prosperity could only be achieved in a peaceful environment.

Addressing the concluding session of a two-day workshop on promoting tolerance, resilience and preventing violent extremism here, he urged youth from the merged districts to become ambassadors of peace and play an active role in the development of their areas.

The workshop was organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism in collaboration with relevant institutions.

The Governor said people of the merged districts had rendered tremendous sacrifices for peace, while security forces and police had also made great sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

He stressed that all segments of society, particularly young people, must play their role in promoting peace and development across the province.

He said the merged districts had remained affected by conflict and instability for a long time and had been deprived of development opportunities. Schools and basic health units in these areas had previously been used for purposes other than their intended functions, but such practices would not be allowed in future.

Kundi said bringing the merged districts into the national mainstream was a collective responsibility. He thanked the Prime Minister for announcing a Rs160 billion development package for the region.

He said the government would provide young people with technical and vocational skills alongside education to help them become self-reliant.

The Governor said local people had been given their democratic right to elect their representatives, adding that youth should make the most of available opportunities in education, sports and employment.

He termed the denial of educational and sporting opportunities to young people an injustice and said providing better facilities in these sectors was the government’s responsibility. During the concluding session, Kundi also responded to questions from workshop participants.