PAKISTAN: In implementation of directives by President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to help Pakistan through humanitarian and development projects, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge on River Swat on Friday was inaugurated by the UAE's Ambassador of the UAE to Pakistan, Essa Abdullah al Basha Al Nuaimi in presence of Pakistan's Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Director of UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (PAP), Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, tribal dignitaries, senior UAE and Pakistani government officials and Pakistani senior officers.
The state-of-the-art bridge was built by the UAE at a cost of US$10.5 million to connect 15 towns and 45 villages of Swat Valley. The UAE-funded bridge is 448 meter-long, 10.7 meter-wide and 10 meter high structure which will serve around 500,000 people in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province north-west of Pakistan which was severely affected by flooding in August last year. The new bridge will serve 4000 cars per day on 2 reserved lanes as well as pedestrians on 2 others. "No doubt the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Islamic Republic of Pakistan maintain special relations based on the spirit of fraternity, solidarity, mutual respect and shared vision between the two brotherly leaderships and people. The inauguration of this vital bridge is a fruition of a longstanding history of close ties, cooperation and solidarity between leaders and people of the UAE and their brothers in Pakistan," Ambassador of the UAE to Pakistan, Essa Abdullah al Basha Al Nuaimi said in a speech at the inauguration ceremony. "We are privileged and honoured to share you today this historic occasion ? the inauguration of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge. The project delivers a practical achievement of the directives and initiatives given by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to extend development aid and humanitarian assistance to the friendly Pakistani people. The project comes within HH's developmental and humanitarian initiatives to different peoples of the world," the Ambassador added. The vital bridge was named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in tribute and memory of the late UAE founding father and leader for his generous developmental and humanitarian assistance over the years to the people of Pakistan, he noted. The collapse of the bridge on the Swat River due to massive floods has isolated villagers living on both banks of the River and the reconstruction of the bridge, the largest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, brings life to those population as it provides them with easy access to the main road network. Spanning 448 metres, the 10.7 width and 7 metre height bridge will have the traffic capacity of more than 4,000 vehicles daily and will serve around 2 million people. The Bridge was built in accordance with the best international technical and engineering specifications, standards and practices. Contractors have adopted the world class safety systems against extreme floods and earthquake hazards by building a 1300 metre long breakwater. Special formula of reinforced concrete was used in the construction of the bridge to resist effects of erosion, decaying and humidity. A novel solar system was also installed to lighten up the US$ 10.5 million bridge. The design also envisage a pedestrian walkway in parallel to the vehicular lane. Today the Sheikh Zayed Bridge stands as a new architectural landmark at the heart of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and forms a key artery in the main road network. With its eye-catching aesthetic design, the structure is expected to be a tourist destination. Entrance of the bridge was adorned with a model of the Al Jahli Fort, UAE's historic landmark and childhood place and cradle of leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed. Al Ghafli said the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (PAP) could not have made this significant success in implementing the UAE President's developmental and humanitarian initiatives in Pakistan without the unequivocal support and close follow up from the UAE political leadership. In this respect, we extend our profound thanks and gratitude to the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose sound directives and continuous encouragement have provided the keys to PAP's success. He commended the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation for funding road and bridge projects being carried out by PAP. The Sheikh Zayed Bridge is one of its major generous contributions to PAP. He also expressed gratitude for all the stakeholders in the project : Pakistan's Army Corps of Engineers, the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), the Emirati team of engineers and supervisors. --- MORE --Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
