Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Bajaur and Swat on Friday in connection with inauguration of projects completed under UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UPAP). General Kayani inaugurated Technical College at Khar, Bajaur.
The college will provide diploma level technical education for upto 450 students in various disciplines of engineering including electrical, mechanical, civil and mining. Pakistan Army Engineers have completed the project at the cost of Rs 266.2 million in less than two years.
Later, CoAS went to Shamozai, Swat for the inauguration of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge at the site of the old Shamozai Bridge. Almost two million people of Swat will be facilitated by the construction of this bridge. The project was completed by Frontier Works Organisation at the cost of Rs 897.4 million in one and a half year.
Talking on the occasion, CoAS appreciated the quality of the work done and expressed thanks - on behalf of the Government of Pakistan - to the government and people of UAE for their support in carrying out critically needed development work in the terrorism affected areas of Fata and Swat.
He expressed hope that such projects would alleviate the hardships faced by people of the area and help root out terrorism by providing education and economic opportunities to the youth. Earlier, on arrival, CoAS was received by Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani, Commander Peshawar Corps. The Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan, Essa Abdulla Albasha Al-Noaimi and Director UPAP, Abdullah Al Ghefeli were also present on the occasion.-PR