Islamabad: Gulf News had an exclusive interview with HE Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, to get his input on the development projects undertaken as part of the UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan.
The UAE has been actively assisting Pakistan, especially in areas that have been subjected to natural disaster and which were in the grips of militancy and conflict. Is your Excellency satisfied with the progress in implementation of the projects?
“Thanks to Allah Almighty, the activities and projects carried out by the UAE according to the esteemed instructions by the wise leadership of UAE represented by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in different and far flung cities in Pakistan are going in the right way based on total transparency and precision under the direct supervision of the wise leadership. The United Arab Emirates has been actively contributing in assisting Pakistan generously during the natural calamities such as 2005 earthquake and 2010 and 2011 floods. The wise vision of the United Arab Emirates and its special relationship with Pakistan resulted in pumping $120 million (Dh440 million) to re-construct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in education, health, water supply schemes and infrastructure including bridges and roads. The total volume of development projects in Pakistan by UAE reaches to 272 since 1971.
We ensure that the achievement of UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE-PAP) is translating the determination of its team and the coordination team of Pakistan army and all our brothers such as engineers, experts of construction, technical teams in the UAE Pakistan assistance programme and the civil administration in the provincial and federal governments.”
What is the total amount of development funds the UAE has given so far in terms of development assistance for Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Swat?
“As I have already stated, the total value of the programme is $120 million. Moreover, the history of UAE in providing humanitarian and development assistance in the Pakistani cities have achieved many in reducing the impact of tragedies among the population of those cities. No doubt, the unlimited generosity by the wise leadership of UAE and standing besides our Pakistani brothers is dated back to the deep roots between the two countries due to commonalities such as religion, tradition and the history although the foundation was laid down by the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. The UAE has great passion and love for the government and people of Pakistan and it has vowed for the continuation of the bilateral relationship for long term.”
This assistance has created further goodwill among the people for the UAE. What is your Excellency’s view on the importance of these projects in these areas in terms of their benefit to counter militancy and bring improvement in people’s lives?
“No doubt, the first beneficiary of these development and humanitarian programmes is the localities at those cities and villages who are directly affected by the floods. Moreover, those projects are considered a main factor in improving the lives of the people. And this is the main goal for constructing these projects in the floods affected areas or military operations which have affected, to a great instant, the infrastructure and other sectors.”
The UAE-PAP identifies projects in FATA and other settled areas and then obtains funds for their implementation. Is there a priority being given to some sectors such as education or health?
“The UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme is a main player in human and economic development in the provinces where the projects are being executed. This is a part of UAE Leadership’s continuity in helping the Pakistani nation. Yes, there is priority in for some projects and the utmost is education, health sectors which are the basics for any society in the world.”
What is your Excellency’s opinion about the sector (education, health, communication infrastructure, agriculture or water supply) that requires most attention in terms of prioritisation?
“The projects are according to the instructions by President, H.H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the UAE-PAP has signed the agreement on 10 December, 2010 in Islamabad after a survey of the floods affected areas. The work was started immediately and according to timeline plan and in the following sectors: Education, health, water, infrastructure, bridges and roads.
