Govt. to soon set up Tobacco Research center in Swat, start tobacco farming in Dir, Bajaur : Khurram Dastgir Khan

PESHAWAR: Government is mulling plan to soon set up Tobacco Research Center at Swat district besides starting tobacco farming in Dir and Bajaur Agency. This was said by Federal Minister for Commerce and Trade, Engr Khurram Dastgir while speaking at a ceremony held here on Wednesday at Pakistan Tobacco Board. The ceremony was held in connection with announcing raise in salary of employees of the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB).

Federal Minister said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's mission is to make Pakistan a developed country and bring it among the group of prosperous countries. He also disclosed that for promotion of research on better yield of tobacco, government has decided to give grant of Rs. 100,000 to students doing research on the crop. He said Pakistan's soil is not only fertile, but it also has fertile minds whose research and hard work will soon make the country as `Asian Tiger’.

Khurram Dastgir said before 2013, the whole country was passing through a very difficult juncture due to terrorism. We have reached to this stage after a lot of hard work and sacrifices of our security forces and countrymen, he added. He said due to courageous leadership of Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif who took hard stance against terrorists, today we have living in peaceful atmosphere. It is because of the leadership qualities of Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif that countrymen have got rid of the menace of terrorism, Khurram remarked.

Federal Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastgir on this occasion announced a raise of 40 percent in salaries of grade one to four employees. Similarly, raise of 45 percent in salary of employees in Grade five to ten. Those working in Grade 10 to 15 got a raise of 50 percent in their salaries.

He expressed the hope that employees of Pakistan Tobacco Board will work hard for making the institution best and for benefiting the farming community of the country. He said tobacco farming is giving huge benefits to farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and those associated with this industry. Federal Minister also urged those companies which are not registered in tax net to get themselves registered and work under country's rules and regulations.