PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan has assured the businessmen that he would take up their reservations regarding Pak-China Economic Corridor with the federal government.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) on Wednesday, he said that Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal would also visit the provincial capital and brief them about the multibillion project.

The governor said that apprehensions had been created about the project without any solid ground.

He said that socio-economic development and sustainable peace in the country were linked with stability in Federal Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).Mr Khan said overcoming law and order problems, ensuring peace and stability and promoting opportunities for economic development were their top priorities. He said that they wanted to see a peaceful Pakistan. `For this we have to first make tribal belt peaceful and for achievement of this goal all decisions will be taken without any confusion and delay,` he added.

The leader of Businessmen Forum, Senator Ilyas Bilour, Senator elect Nauman Wazir, KPCCI president Faud Ishaq and other prominent businessmen were present on the occasion.

The governor said that the difficulties, which they were facing, was a phenomenon of temporary nature and would fade away shortly. He said that the prevailing spate of terrorism not only inflicted heavy losses on lives and properties but also caused serious damage to economy and social and cultural norms.

`We have to face this challenge bravely and came out of the predicament as a resilient nation. The unity and cohesion reflected by people against terrorism especially after the gruesome incident of Army Public School carnage hasproved that Pakistanis are against terrorists and will take all steps to eradicate this menace from their land,` Mr Khan said.

Thegovernorsaidthattherecent steps of the government, especially military operations, were bearing fruits and a large area of Fata was cleared of militants and outlaws.

He said that repatriation of two million Temporally Displaced Persons (TDPs) was started to South Waziristan Agency on March 16.

Mr Khan said that dignified return of TDPs of Bara in Khyber Agency would be started from March 20. Similarly, from March 30, the displaced people of North Waziristan Agency would also start going back to their homes, he added.

The governor said hat revival of economic activity was vital for overcoming terrorism. He also sought help from KPCCI in reviving commercial activities in Bara.

`If closed industrial units in Bara are opened, it will generate thousands of jobs for the people of the area. The government alone cannot provide jobs to all the unemployed youth. For this purpose we have to take help of private sectorto come forward,` he added.

The governor said that realisation existed at every level in the government towards the feelings and demands of the business community of the province. `The constantinteraction of the representatives of the government with this chamber is a clear depiction of this reality,` he added.

About economic relief package announced by the previous government for the business community of the province and cancelled by the present government, the governor said that he would take up the issue with the concerned quarters.

About construction of modern dry port in Peshawar, he said that he had taken up the issue with Federal Minister for Railways Saad Rafiq and soon step would be taken in that regard.

Earlier, in his welcome address KPCCI president Faud Ishaq demanded of the governor to take up revival of economic relief package with the federal government. He also requested the governor to take stand against any changein the traderoute.

Senator Ilyas Bilour and Senator Nauman Wazir also spoke on the occasion.