Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Barrikot, Swat, today to inaugurate Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Bridge.

The bridge which connects 15 towns and 45 villages, was completely washed away during floods of 2010.
The bridge is one of the projects undertaken by FWO in collaboration with United Arab Emirates in KPK.

UAE is providing considerable assistance for infrastructure development in areas affected by War against Terror. Economic activities generated by such projects will bring immediate relief to the people of the area and also, in longer run, combat militancy by providing the youth with viable employment opportunities.

The ambassador of UAE to Pakistan, His Excellency Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi, as well as dignitaries from UAE Embassy and UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UPAP) and notables from the area were also present on the occasion. COAS thanked the Ambassador for the generous assistance of UAE and efforts to cement the abiding friendship between the people of the two countries. He also appreciated the efforts of the rank and file of FWO, for providing speedy and quality construction work in far flung areas, often amidst dangerous working conditions.

On arrival, COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps, Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani and other senior officers.