South Waziristan: Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Road in south Waziristan in Pakistan was inaugurated on Friday by General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, accompanied by UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi, and Director of the UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan Abdullah Khalifa Al Gafli,
The move follows directives by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support and implement developmental projects in Pakistan.
The opening ceremony of the over $38 million road was attended by a number of local ministers, senior Pakistani army officers, other senior officials, a number of tribal chiefs, citizens and members of the Programme.
Al Gafli said the UAE-Pakistan relations are characterised by a spirit of solidarity, fraternity and mutual respect, adding that the inauguration of the road reflects a long history of solidarity and cohesion between the UAE leaders and the people of Pakistan.
He cited the initiatives and efforts of Shaikh Khalifa to provide developmental assistance to Pakistani people in all fields.
Al Gafli said the road is strategic as it connects Pakistan and Afghanistan with central Asian countries, noting that it would ease trade exchange for local people. The road shortens the distance between Karachi and Kabul by 400km.
He referred to continuous support to the Programme by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Regarding the role of the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian Foundation, Al Gafli 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 Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Bridge on Swat River, which was opened last year and the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road.
Al Gafli said the total amount offered by the Foundation for the road and bridge projects in Pakistan was $60.9 million.
