Swat Valley hails Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge

Fakhr A'lem Irfan, Commissioner of Swat in Pakistan said the construction of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Bridge over Swat River in Malakand, one of the Provinces of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, in a record time "reflects the depth of fraternal ties between the peoples of UAE and Pakistan".
 
He thanked in a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM) President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE people for their continuous humanitarian assistance in all circumstances to ease suffering of the inhabitants in areas affected by the natural calamities, and help them restore their normal life.

He added that work is underway to implement the developmental and social projects in the Northwest district of Pakistan. The projects include, schools, a number of institutes, hospitals and water supplies.
 
Irfan said the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge "is a historic fort model and represents a symbol of the fraternal ties, which have been growing steadily between the two peoples. The Bridge is an artery for a community of 250,000 in Malakand Province and its environs as it links the towns and villages on the both banks of the Swat River".

The Pakistani official added the construction of another bridge, the Sheikh Zayed Bridge over Swat River, will be completed within months.
 
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Essa Al Nuaimi and Director of the UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan Abdullah Al Ghafli cut the ribbon of inauguration of the bridge.

 In his brief remarks on the occasion, PWO Director General Maj Gen. Javed said the UAE government had generously donated funds for the rehabilitation of facilities and infrastructure in Swat on a fast track basis as it was badly damaged during the unprecedented floods two years back.
 
He said the people of Pakistan in general and inhabitants of Swat in particular, were thankful to the UAE President and the government of the UAE for quick response to the needs of the calamity-hit people.

He noted that it was decided to build two strategically located bridges in Swat immediately after the devastating flashfloods and the Khalifa Bridge was one of the two.

Director of UAE Assistance Programme to Pakistan Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli said in his remarks that the bridge was built using the internationally recognised architectural and technical standards and specifications for ensuring quality of work. All metal components of bridge were manufactured in the UK. special anti-erosion, anti-rust and humidity-resistant concrete was used to build the anti-earthquake structure, which is also resistant to floods.
 
Pakistani officials, people and media hailed the inauguration of the bridge, describing it as "a token of cooperation and good ties between the two peoples".