UAE President Sheikh Khalifa orders 21 Pakistan projects

Islamabad: The UAE Project to Assist Pakistan has announced the start of 21 new developmental projects in Pakistan at a cost of US$184.2 million (Dh670 million), in implementation of the directives and initiatives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to support and help the people of Pakistan and contribute to the development of cities and outlying regions. Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, Director of UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (PAP), said on the occasion that the new projects represent the beginning of the second phase of the project’s work plan under the generous directives and initiatives of Sheikh Khalifa, General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow-up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Al Ghafli said that the projects include the construction of a new road linking different regions in addition to the opening of a major hospital in the capital, Islamabad, and the implementation of modern educational projects along with the establishment of water treatment and purification plants to provide safe drinking water for 12 remote villages. He added that the Emirates Hospital is one of the largest health projects implemented in Pakistan at a cost of US$108 million, located in Islamabad. The Director went on to say that PAP had begun the implementation of seven modern educational projects, including the establishment and development of three colleges and four educational centres for professional and vocational qualification for women at a total cost of US$14.4 million. He added that the projects of the second phase include the implementation of 12 initiatives to provide safe drinking water to a number of towns and villages in the region at a cost of US$1.2 million. Al Ghafli expressed his thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammad for their humanitarian support and initiatives towards the friendly people of Pakistan. He affirmed the keenness of the project management and all its employees to work on the implementation of the directives and initiatives of the wise leadership of the UAE to the best and highest levels. – Emirates News Agency, WAM