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Bridge in Swat constructed with funds from expat Pakistanis

BARIKOT (Swat) - A 115-metre-long and 16-feet-wide strategic concrete bridge has been constructed over a seasonal river in the mountainous region of Barikot, Swat, by Pakistan Army from funds of over Rs1.3 million provided by the Pakistan Association Dubai, or PAD, and its Pak-Khyber Wing. The funds were provided by the PAD through its NGO in Pakistan, PAD Relief.

The Shahi Nagar Bridge on the Najgram Nallah was jointly inaugurated last week by Mohammad Riaz Farooq Sahi, President of Pakistan Association Dubai, Brigadier Saeedullah Khan, Army’s Operational Commander in Swat, and Khayal Zaman Orakzai, President of Pak-Khyber Wing of PAD, who represented Ayub Afridi, the wing’s chairman, in presence of prominent personalities of the area.
An earlier bridge, built by the villagers themselves, at the place was destroyed in the last year’s flood.
The federal government had estimated the cost of construction of new bridge at Rs5.3 million but the army managed to complete the project at a much less cost and in a short period of less than two months, Brigadier Saeed said after unveiling the inaugural plaque.
“The bridge is a small effort, but it is of significant social and economic benefit to the 50,000 population of Najgram Valley who are dependent on the bridge for their link to other parts,” he told Khaleej Times.
It is a joint effort with the private sector, the army provided technical assistance, supervision, drawings and design, and PAD provided the funds, he said.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Sahi said the PAD represented about 1.2 million Pakistanis living the UAE and helped the country in difficult situations like earthquakes, rehabilitation of internally displaced people, and the floods.
“The funds supplied by PAD at times of crises were given to us not only by Pakistanis but also by people from other nationalities and religions, including Indians,” he said.
Recounting the sufferings of people following the floods and the role played by the PAD in ameliorating their condition, Brig Saeed said: “When floods were at their peak and people were suffering, PAD provided major relief to the people. Thousands of them were left without shelter. Among them was a family which returned to Pakistan from abroad after 40 years. There were also families and individuals from Dubai. The water current was so high that it was difficult to operate boats and sorties.
“At this time, representatives of PAD came to the area and distributed large amounts of cash among the suffering people in a disciplined manner and in a short time. As long as the bridge is there people will remember PAD.”
Brig Saeed said that the floods hit Swat Valley just after militants were removed from the area. “Our people still need your support and support from our brothers in Dubai,” he said.
Area residents pointed out that PAD help was needed in the reconstruction of irrigation system vital for agriculture, strengthening of embankments to save population from future floods and in the reconstruction of schools destroyed by militants.
Also in the delegation of overseas Pakistanis from the UAE which attended the inauguration ceremony were Ghazi Marjan, Shah Hussain, Sajjad Husain, Shahab Hussain and Abdul Karim.
news@khaleejtimes.com

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