Army chief inaugurates 'largest bridge in South Waziristan'

Dawn.com Published November 9, 2014

RAWALPINDI: A 76km long road and the largest bridge in South Waziristan agency were inaugurated Sundayby Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif to facilitate trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the military said in a statement.

The statement released by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) says the Shakai-Makeen road, funded by USAID, is an important section of the upcoming Central Trade Corridor (CTC). This road connects the two main axes of Trade Corridor which are road Bannu – Miranshah – Ghulam Khan and road Wana – Aangor Ada.

The statement describes the CTC as a strategic road link to improve trade between Pakistan – Afghanistan and will directly and indirectly contribute in reviving the economy of Federally Administered Tribal Area and Kyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Apart from other economic, security and strategic advantages, the newly constructed roads have reduced travelling times considerably, the military added. An international standard 705-km long road network is also being built by army engineers that will run through southern KPK and FATA.

General Raheel Sharif said the development of FATA is a "priority task" being undertaken by the army.

The statement also added that the Pakistan army has undertaken 178 projects so far in the social sector, communication infrastructure and power sector in FATA and Malakand areas. These projects are aimed to improve the quality of life in tribal areas and address the problem of militancy on a long-term basis.

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Ali

Nov 09, 2014 04:55pm

Good work sir.This bridge will be good for trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Riyadh Babin

Nov 09, 2014 05:13pm

Just curious where did they get the civilians there for the ceremony? The population of SWA displaced by the operations in 2009 still lives in squalid camps and miserable shacks around KPK. Who is going to do the trade? By the way they also will not tell you that the money for the Central Corridor has come from none else but the United States. Anyways it is good that at least a tiny fraction of the billions of Dollars received in the name of the tribal people has been spent on the development of infrastructure in the tribal areas.

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Ganga Din

Nov 09, 2014 05:27pm

These are all gimmicks and don't look very good for the integrity of Pakistan.

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indian

Nov 09, 2014 05:34pm

Army chief inagurating bridges!!!! Only in Pakistan!!!

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Erik

Nov 09, 2014 05:46pm

@indian Never mind. In the meantime, please keep crying.

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Javeed

Nov 09, 2014 06:29pm

Good work general, carry on! U are on a tough mission, may God be with U (Amen)

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M. Baluch

Nov 09, 2014 06:59pm

Great move. We need several more projects to stimulate the economy of FATA and KPK, and to provide jobs for the local youth - this way they can stay at home with their families as they earn their livelihood, instead of living as nomads and be spending the best years of their lives working for tough taskmasters, away from their loves ones!

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Kanwarch

Nov 09, 2014 07:08pm

Long live Pak Army.

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Hashim khan

Nov 09, 2014 07:11pm

Slowly and steadily Pakistan puts itself together and Afghanistan will be a normal country soon as well. Let the opposing forces fail.

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Haider Rehman

Nov 09, 2014 07:51pm

"General Raheel Sharif said the development of FATA is a "priority task" being undertaken by the army." At least one institution is working for the future of this country...

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vik1

Nov 09, 2014 08:07pm

Something good happening. Good news!

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Mohammed Abbasi

Nov 09, 2014 08:20pm

Good work Pakistan Army

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Sohail

Nov 09, 2014 08:35pm

@Riyadh Babin Population of tribal areas is around 5 millions and only fraction of them has left their homes. Seriously you are asking who is going to do the trade?

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Sohail

Nov 09, 2014 08:37pm

@indian These are sensitive areas, local contractors can't work there. It might have been constructed by Army engineers.

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N. Siddiqui

Nov 09, 2014 08:48pm

Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif is looking great in his traditional tribal head wear. Tribal elders and the people are the staunchest and most patriotic Pakistanis. Respect to them. Bridges will shorten the distance between Afghanistan and Pakistan, two brotherly countries.

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Shakil Khan

Nov 09, 2014 09:14pm

@indian true, where civilian dont even go to that area! Army builds and deliver! no doubt its failure of civilian government who is incapable of taking the initiative and lead.

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Nov 09, 2014 09:32pm

Army chief !! where r all politicians ?

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Zeeshan

Nov 09, 2014 10:05pm

Thanks to the United States for providing much needed funds for the reconstruction effort. This bridge should help in making life a little easier for the people of FATA.

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Amir Bangash

Nov 09, 2014 10:35pm

It is good effort by Pakistan Army. May Allah bring peace and economic prosperity to both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Modi

Nov 09, 2014 10:45pm

@indian Why what is wrong with that ? In most developed countries, the Army Chiefs perform such functions to promote social services and development projects. Don't put blinds on your eyes and mind to criticize for the sake of criticizing, or just because you have hatred for Pakistan !

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J Nasir

Nov 09, 2014 11:53pm

We should really appreciate the productive use of our military resources in building economic infrastructure. Most of our budget goes to maintain the Army, and it's very encouraging to see the Army contributing to the economy this way. Reminds me of the Romans who used their Legions for high-quality road construction (and other structures) across the Roman empire. Keep up the great work, Pak Army!!!

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Sonny Afridi

Nov 10, 2014 12:55am

@indian the project was completed by Frontier Works organization - which is army -run enterprise. Helps to know your facts first, doesn't it?

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wazir

Nov 10, 2014 02:53am

Thanks USA for paying for it

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msh

Nov 10, 2014 03:25am

Well done Gen Raheel. Under ur leadership Army is going in the right direction and people of Pakistan feel safer than before. Keep it up

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samin ahmed

Nov 10, 2014 04:14am

it has been decades that any government has done anything for the uplift of the people of FATA. This has given terrorists chance to hire young people to be a terrorist If the army succeeds in their efforts we may reduce terrorism in that part of the country. Further more FATA should be made into a province so that people can have their right recognized. sa

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saj

Nov 10, 2014 05:12am

@ Dawn. it would have been better if the plans were shown in the article. at least the public will get to get a feel of where it is and what it may look like. lazy journalism.

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Sajan

Nov 10, 2014 05:49am

How large is the "Largest Bridge" ?? How much is "considerable time" saving ??? Very ambiguous reporting.

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Taimur khan

Nov 10, 2014 06:00am

The sincerity, or lack there of, of the Hindustani readers is self evident from their commens on this, and any other, positive news about Pakistan. My question is why do you bother reading a Pakistani newspaper..........only trolling for bad news?

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sajid

Nov 11, 2014 12:38am

@Taimur khan yes. Any problems?

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lucifer

Nov 11, 2014 06:06am

Lol why is the ARMY chief inaugurating anything at all? What about the CM? or an elected representative? HAvent heard this happening in India ever lol

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AYZA

Nov 11, 2014 11:33am

Please NATO, keep your drones away from this bridge and all the innocents in this area so they may finally enjoy some peace and prosperity, INSHALLAH!

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