ISLAMABAD: The UAE government has allocated an amount of $ 26 million for the revival of educational infrastructure that includes construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of 51 projects in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, South Waziristan and Bajaur. Talking to Media, Director General of UAE’s Pakistan Assistance Program, Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli on Wednesday said that these projects would be completed in two phases.In first phase, he said, 40 primary and secondary schools would be constructed/ rehabilitated while in the second phase 11 colleges and technical institutions of science and technology would be constructed and rehabilitated in the flood-hit areas of KPK, South Waziristan and Bajaur.He said that Chief Minister Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti along with Ali Saif Al Awani, Ambassador of UAE inaugurated first phase by laying the foundation stone of a Senior High School in , Kanju, Swat.He said that these projects in the northern areas of the country are being completed under the guidance of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of UAE.All phases of the “UAE’s Pakistan Assistance Program” are being carried out by the UAE Government with the collaboration of the Government and the Armed Forces of Pakistan, he added.
Moreover, he said that a research study has already been conducted including designs, operation plans and a timeframe not exceeding 18 months for completion of the projects.He hoped that the comprehensive development plans in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, water, roads and bridges will pay the dividends to the people of the region.Abdullah Khalifa said the success of the “UAE’s Pakistan Assistance Program” could not materialize without the continued generous assistance of the UAE leadership under the patronage Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirate.He said that the UAE’s Pakistan Assistance Program will carry out several socio economic projects i.e education, health, infrastructure, purification of water, roads and bridges for the north-southern areas of the country.He said the educational project in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa reflects our strong commitment against illiteracy and endeavor to enlighten young people to make them aware of the emerging trends of science and technology and join the march towards global development. – APP
