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Need stressed to exploit the natural resources

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: Regional programme manager of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) Engineer Sardar Ayub has said that there is tremendous potential of marble and gem stones in the district whose exploitation can bring about prosperity in the area and provide employment to thousands of unemployed youth. Addressing the certificate-awarding ceremony at the end of three-week workshop on ‘gem stone cutting and carving’ for the youth here on Saturday, he said that the deposits of marble in the district are of superb quality and are in great demand in the market. He said that no serious and concerted efforts have been made to exploit the resources due to the backwardness of the area and poverty of people. He stressed on launching a comprehensive programme to initiate multi-dimensional work on development of the resources. He said that at the first rung of the programme, extensive training must be imparted to the people associated with the business and profession. Mr. Sardar said that AKRSP will play its role in this regard and provide all possible help. The president of Gemstones and Marble Association Chitral Abdul Saboor Khan and union nazim of Shagram union council Abdul Qayum Baig also addressed on the occasion and said that unemployment among youth folk is the basic problem in the area and to fight this the natural resources must be developed on modern lines. Twenty-five unemployed youth had participated in the training workshop arranged by association.