KHAR: Security forces are making efforts to promote education in Bajaur Agency by establishing modern educational institutions in the region, said Pakistan Army Sector Commander (North) Brigadier Amir Kiani here on Thursday.

He was speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Army Public High School for girls in Khar. The inaugural ceremony of the school, the first modern educational institution for girls, was attended among others by commandant Bajaur Scouts Col Nayyar Zaman and political agent Abdul Amir Khattak.

The sector commander said that the security forces were devoted to the promotion of education in the agency as education was not only vital for the socio-economic development of the region, but also for durable peace and stabihtyin the area.

He said that on the special directives of Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa the security forces had expedited its efforts for promotion of education in the tribal areas.

He was of the view that education in the tribal areas was the need of the hour to rid the region of all types of anti-social elements and evils.

Brig Kiani said that people of the entire tribal areas in general and Bajaur Agency in particular were loyal and peace-loving, but lack of education facilities was the main hurdle to their progress and development.