PESHAWAR: European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka has said that European Union will have special focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in its upcoming support programmes.

She called on Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammed Azam Khan on Monday. Both the dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest with a special focus on public welfare projects being carried out with the cooperation of European Union in the province.

First Secretary Cooperation Sven Ruesch and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Imdadullah Bosal were also present on the occasion.

Dr Riina Kionka expressed her condolences and sorrow over the blast in the Peshawar police lines that claimed precious human lives.

The caretaker chief minister said on the occasion that European Union was providing support in various social sectors of the province. He said that the government and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa highly valued and appreciated the cooperation.

“We are looking forward to the same cooperation in the future as well. The provincial government is looking forward to special support from European Union in the newly-merged districts of the province,” he said.

Mr Khan said that the government was going all out for the development of merged districts, however, cooperation from the international development partners was vital in that regard.

He said that the people of merged districts had been facing multiple challenges for the last 40 years due to war in the bordering Afghanistan. He said that the people of merged districts needed and deserved special focus to bring them into the mainstream of development and prosperity.

The difficulties and problems of merged districts could substantially be reduced by focusing on technical and vocational education, rural development, health and other social sectors.

Dr Riina Kionka on the occasion said that the European Union in its upcoming support programs would have special focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2023