Despite issues of law and order in the tribal areas of Pakistan, visible development changes are taking place and a number of mega public welfare initiatives have been completed which are benefiting the communities at their door steps in the far flung and inaccessible tribal areas. However, despite spending of billions of rupees by the government of Pakistan to bring rapid development in FATA, very less media coverage is extended leading to the impression that the whole of FATA is plagued with terrorism only.
In order to promote soft image of FATA, there is a need to inform the masses about the development activities carried out in FATA in a positive manner both at internal and external levels. For this purpose, the FATA Secretariat has launched a comprehensive public information program with the support of USAID funded FATA Institutional Strengthening Project (FISP). A radio program for highlighting the development in various parts of FATA has been launched which is aired on daily basis at 6. 30 pm by Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Peshawar Centre. This radio program contains interviews with beneficiaries and officials of various sectors about the utility of health, education, road, drinking water, irrigation, livestock and other public welfare projects in the seven tribal agencies and frontier regions.
FATA Secretariat has signed a contract with M/s Midas Communication for production of video documentaries on the developmental initiatives undertaken in the tribal agencies. For the purpose a meeting to discuss various modalities was held at the Midas Communication office in Islamabad which was participated by CaptRtdMunirAzam, Secretary Administration, Coordination and Infrastructure and Mr. Omar Khan, Director FATA Information Directorate as well as management of FISP and representatives of USAID.
Under this agreement documentaries on FATA developmental initiatives containing interviews with beneficiaries and government officials will be produced and aired through PTV and other national television for mass awareness and projection. In additions CDs of the documentaries will be prepared and distributed to various educational institutions, foreign missions and FATA civil society organizations.
This activity is aimed to project the positive side of the FATA developmental initiatives undertaken by the FATA Secretariat and dispel the negative impression of various tribal communities as well as other FATA stakeholders regarding less developmental activities inside FATA.
