SOUTH of Waziristan, 22nd June, 2013 (WAM)--The Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani accompanied by UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi and Director of the UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, inaugurated on Friday over $38 million Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Road in South of Waziristan area in Pakistan.
The move follows the directives by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support and implement the developmental projects in Pakistan. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of local ministers in the region, senior Pakistani army officers, senior officials, a number of tribal chiefs, citizens and members of the Programme. Al Ghafli said the UAE- Pakistani relations are characterised with spirit of solidarity, fraternity and mutual respect, adding that the inauguration of the road reflects long history of solidarity and cohesion between the UAE leaders and people with Pakistan. He cited the initiatives and efforts of the UAE President to provide the developmental assistance to the Pakistani people in all fields. Al Ghafli said the road is strategic as it connects Pakistan and Afghanistan with the central Asian countries, noting that it would ease the trade exchange for local people. The road shortens the distance between Karachi and Kabul by 400 km. He referred to continuous support to the Programme by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and H. H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Regarding the role of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian Foundation, Al Ghafli said the Foundation plays a pivotal role in financing the roads and bridges being implemented by the UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan. He noted that the Foundation funded the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Bridge on Swat River, which was opened last year and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road too. Al Ghafli said the total amount offered by the Foundation for the road and bridge projects in Pakistan was $60.9 million. For his part, the Chief of staff of Pakistani Army commended the UAE's humanitarian efforts, which were outlined by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a legacy being continued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and followed up by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He noted that the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road will have positive economic impact on local people in South Waziristan.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
