First phase of Shaikh Khalifa City in Pakistan launched

Islamabad: In line with the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the first phase of building the Shaikh Khalifa City in the suburb of Balakot Tehsil, in District Mansehra, has been launched.

Khaled Nasser Lootah, the UAE Charge d'affaires in Islamabad, has handed over the cheque of the first installment to Qari Azizurrehman, the In-Charge of Pakistan's Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA).

The Shaikh Khalifa City Balakot incorporates 211 houses, a health centre, a school and two mosques, all to be constructed in collaboration and technical assistance of ERRA at an estimated cost of Dh 12 million.

This project is planned to be completed in 1 year. The ground breaking of Shaikh Khalifa City Project has already been carried out by Lieutenant General Sajjad Akram, the Deputy Chairman of ERRA.

ERRA will be supervising the implementation of this project to ensure quality standards and seismic resistance of the planned buildings.

Lootah said this vital project is part of the humanitarian aid provided by Shaikh Khalifa to alleviate the suffering of the victims of 2005 deadly earthquake. "It reflects the interest of the UAE's leadership in the reconstruction and rehabilitation programs.

He also commended the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) for funding this project and ERRA for spearheading the reconstruction and rehabilitation drive in the earthquake affected areas.

He added that the Shaikh Khalifa City project will ensure a better life for the families which were affected by the deadly earthquake of 2005. He thanked the representatives of ERRA for their cooperation in facilitating the task of the UAE Red Crescent to ensure the implementation of this charitable and humanitarian project.

For his part, Nawazish Ali Khan, the Chief Coordinator at ERRA, expressed gratitude to the government and people of UAE for alleviating the sufferings of the local communities affected by the 2005 earthquake