ISLAMABAD, June 10: The ambassador and head of the European Commission Delegation in Pakistan, Ilkka Uusitalo, would be visiting Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit and Chitral from June 11 to 14.

During his visit, he would be inspecting and reviewing the EU sponsored projects in these areas. Mr. Uusitalo would be meeting the N. Areas chief secretary, education secretary and district Nazim of Chitral.

Last month, the EU approved Rs1.28 billion to support Aga Khan Foundation‘s Northern Pakistan Education Project (NPEP), says a Press release issued on Tuesday.

This grant clearly indicates the key importance, the European Union gives to promotion of education in Pakistan. This EU support is given in the context of the EC-Pakistan Economic and Development Co-operation Programme.

With th approval of this new grant, the EU grant commitments to Pakistan now reach a new total over Euro 178.89 million (equivalent to 11.45 billion rupees).

The purpose of the European Commission contribution towards the second phase of NPEP is to consolidate and build on progress made with EC support from 1997-2003.

In Northern Areas (NA) & Chitral (pop. 1.3 million), NPEP will work with government and communities, particularly females, in all districts.

Increased access to primary, secondary and higher education will be given to females through community school buildings and centres and scholarships for secondary and higher education. Quality teacher training programmes will train at least 3,025 head teachers and teachers.