UAE opens new bridge to support development in Pakistan's Swat

Pakistan: UAE ambassador to Pakistan Eisa Abdullah Al Pasha Al Nuaimi inaugurated on Friday the $12.6-million (Dh46.27 million) Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan bridge over the Swat river in Pakistan which will provide a big fillip for development across the region.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Abdullah Khalifa Al Gafli, director of the Emirati Project to Assist Pakistan, and a number of senior Pakistani officials.

Al Nuaimi emphasised that the human dimension is an essential component in the UAE's foreign policy.

He attributed the UAE's response to international crises and disasters to the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Leadership's interest

Al Nuaimi also highlighted the keen interest of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Red Crescent, in ensuring relief reached countries in need.

The envoy said that the completion of the bridge within a package of giant infrastructure projects undertaken by the UAE in Pakistan was funded by the Foundation of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for Humanitarian Works. The completion of the bridge would fulfil the needs of the people of the area and help the march of economic development and improve living standards across the Khyber Pakh-toonkhwa region.

He said the bridge represented not only a physical link between two communities of Swat but ensured that the vision of progress heralded by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for Pakistan was sustained.

Symbol of brotherhood

The bridge would be considered a symbol of brotherhood and friendship and a token of love and sincerity from Shaikh Khalifa towards Pakistan, he said.

He said the new infrastructure was the result of continuous efforts spanning several months of planning and coordination between government authorities, civilians and officials directly overseeing the project.

He explained that the project showed the UAE's commitment to infrastructure projects in Pakistan, with the Shaikh Zayed Bridge scheduled to be opened early next year.

He also praised the active role played by the Foundation of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed for Humanitarian Works in the UAE in various projects.

The new bridge is one of the most important links to the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province. It serves a population of around 70,000 and spans 330 metres with a capacity of more than 5,000 vehicles daily.