UAE-aided college opens in Pakistan

South Waziristan - $5.4m college largest education project in region

Construction of the $5.4 million Cadet College Wana has been completed in South Waziristan, the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (UAE-PAP) announced on Saturday. The college is the largest education project in the region.
The college has been built in implementation of the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as part of his efforts to provide humanitarian and developmental aid to Pakistan as well as support and enhance its educational sector.
The announcement was made during the official opening ceremony of the college in the presence of Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Isa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi, Director of UAE-PAP Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, Pakistani Army commanders, top government officials and dignitaries.
Gen Sharif, Al Nuaimi and Al Ghafli unveiled the memorial plaque. Dignitaries and the audience extended gratitude to Shaikh Khalifa for the gesture, "which represents an important addition to promote the education sector in Pakistan".
The dignitaries toured the college and were briefed on its facilities, which included halls, classrooms, technical and scientific laboratories. During the inauguration ceremony, General Sharif expressed gratitude to Shaikh Khalifa for his continuous support to Pakistan as well as his generous humanitarian initiatives for its people.
He acknowledged the support given by the UAE's wise leadership and people for the Pakistani people during humanitarian crises and natural disasters.
He said the UAE has provided "all kinds of support to Pakistan", enabling it to overcome crises, by establishing humanitarian and developmental projects, especially in infrastructure development, housing, health and other sectors.
Gen Sharif stressed that the UAE has provided assistance in the tribal areas in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He said the college is one of the most important projects which will contribute to developing the education sector in South Waziristan.
UAE-aided projects in Pakistan
Ambassador Al Nuaimi praised the UAE's supportive approach towards the fraternal and friendly countries.
He underscored the importance of UAE-aided projects in improving people's lives, as well as providing health, education and social services.
Al Ghafli hailed the generous directives of Shaikh Khalifa to support the Pakistani people and give attention to the provision of an appropriate educational environment for them.
He said the Wana Cadet College is aimed to contribute to the overall development of the individual and the society in Pakistan. He reiterated that the project reflects the UAE leadership's care towards developing countries.
Al Ghafli also lauded the support and follow-up of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
He said their follow-up has contributed to the implementation of 163 humanitarian and developmental projects in Pakistan.