ISLAMABAD, June 9: The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) would sponsor a reconstruction and rehabilitation programme in the earthquake affected areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and the Aga Khan Development Network.

According to a statement issued here Friday, under the MoU, AKDN would utilise its quake-resistant building designs and specifications for the construction of six schools and three health facilities in Ghari Habibullah and Muzaffarabad.

Under the MoU the AKDN would rebuild a government boys middle school and a girls high school at Ghari Habibullah in Mansehra district, NWFP.

In Azad Kashmir the AKDN will rebuild a boys high school at Nardhajian, a girls high school at Ghail Jabera, a girls middle school at Kundelan, a boys middle school at Darra all in Chakhama union council, Muzaffarabad District.

It will also rebuild three basic health units at Cham, Ghel Jabera and Chakhama in Muzaffarabad District.

“The AKDN will explore the possibility of reconstructing some of the other schools in the Chakhama Union Council,” Akbarali Pesnani, Chairman Multi-input Earthquake Reconstruction Programme Committee of the AKDN, said during the MoU signing ceremony.

Erra Deputy Chairman Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed, senior government officials and AKDN representatives were also present on the occasion.

It is worth mentioning here that Prince Karim Aga Khan, Chairman of the AKDN, in November 2005 after the October 8 devastating earthquake, had pledged $50-million for the rehabilitation, socio-economic development and earthquake-preparedness in NWFP and Azad Kashmir.