GARDIZ (PAN): The people of the volatile Paktia demanded the government to ensure provision of electricity, construct dams, rehabilitate forests and with special reference enhanced the direly needed security in the province.
They said bolstered security was prerequisite to multiply business activities and create more job opportunities for the jobless youth of the province. Another long standing demand of the residents is that they want their province to be developed at par with other provinces.
Khaista Jan Ahadi, provincial council head told Pajhwok Afghan News that the government was not dealing in a fair way to address the problems being faced by the people of the province. He said people lost trust in government and the gap was widening between the government and the public.
Going into greater details, Ahadi said people wanted the province an advanced one and the issue was raised for discussion with President Karzai several times but to no avail. Despite repeated requests, he said ministers demonstrated baised approach to provide the extremely needed electricity to the province. The rehabilitation work on the Machelgho dam was started but it was going on with slow paced. He said besides other needs, provision of electricity was vital for Paktia and the government should take practical steps.
Gul Mohammad, a resident of Zadran locality in Paktia said during the past most of the forests of the province was chopped, demanding the government to stop chopping precious trees.
 Before infighting, there were projects by Germans in those forests to preserve, which would create job opportunities for residents. He underlined the need that the government and Germany should resume projects to preserve the forest.
A number of residents in the province said most of province’s people associate with agriculture profession, adding that due to lack of irrigation water agriculture was not improving.
Abdul Majeed, a resident of Sayed Karam district said if the Machlgho dam was constructed then it would have contributed to the progress of agriculture sector, which would improve the lot of farmers’ community. He demanded the government to create job opportunities for youths, however, currently most of the manpower of the province was working abroad.
Mohammad Nazeer, agriculture professor in Paktia University said nothing had been done for the improvement of the vital sector in the province. 
 
Azizullah, a civil society member said insecurity was the main obstacle in the development of all sectors in the province. He said residents of the province wanted serious measures from the government to ensure peace and law and order. The current peace process is very confusing, which is clearly going on by the government, US and the Taliban. This is need of all Afghans and all the civil society to be taken in confidence ahead of any peace process.
Sardar, a shopkeeper in Gardiz demanded the government to attract the attention of the international community in an apparent attempt to develop the province. He went on to say that MPs of the province should step up their efforts to develop the province.
The absence of electricity is a major problem in the province. The provincial government should try its level best to provide power to the province. Cold storage and better markets should be established for the farmers,” he noted.
Jihad Ahmadzai, owner of an orchard and resident of Ahmad Abad said due to absence of markets, they could not receive as much as they spent on their crops.
If the government builds cold storage facilities for preserving fruits, or find them markets then farmers will receive some benefit and it will help develop the economy of people.
Yousaf Khan, a resident of Zurmat district told Pajhwok Afghan News around 10 acres orchards of apricots and grapes spoiled on the trees because the fruits had no suitable markets. He demanded the government to build cold storages for their fruits in the center and also a number of districts in order to sell their products based on needs in the bazar.
Ahmadullah, a resident of Gardiz demanded the government to pay attention to the farmers in order to encourage others to make orchards in their lands which would help improve their economy.
Haji Yaseen, head of Paktia orchard owners said he himself had 20 acres apple orchard but due to absence of good market he received loss instead of income. “If the government cannot support the farmers, it should build cold storages or pave way for others to establish a juice factory there,” he said, adding that a number of fruits spoiled in the provincial capital.