'Ill utilisation of resources causing economic depreciation'

Participants at a national conference have underscored that less exploitation of rich mineral and material resources causes economic depreciation and financial hardships for this region. They said that resources are not used as a driving force to generate employment opportunities for curbing militancy.
The three-day conference was held under the auspices of Material Research Laboratory in collaboration with University of Peshawar National Conference on "Analysis and Best Use of Material Wealth of Pakistan", here at the university's campus. The concluding session was chaired by Rector Abdul Wali Khan University, Professor Ihsan Ali.
During the conference, the participants presented a declaration which showed that the total global market for materials around US $4 trillion which is constantly growing at a rate of five percent annually. They said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially tribal areas, have immense and rich material resources, but there is not an optimum use of them to tackle growing economic implications and financial constraints confronting the region.
The participants viewed that the foreign contractors are earning billions of dollars from the resources by getting it at the cheapest rate from the country. They added the foreign companies are utilising material for making innovative products, but we are unable to do so.
They pointed out that lack of skilled human resource, scientists and poor attention from the government towards establishing modern material centres with state of the art machinery for making best use of our materials are the root causes for economic slowdown in the region. They suggested that the combination of physics and chemistry long side material scientists could be able to do the job and needs to be supported for practical implementation in making gold out of the our own sand.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minster for Sports, Tourism and Archaeology Syed Aqil Shah, while addressing the concluding ceremony as chief guest, extended appreciation to Material Research Laboratory for arranging such innovative and informative conference.