Denmark announced Monday it would provide USD 28 million, an increase by USD 20 million, in aid to Pakistan during 2010-2012 for rebuilding the latter's schools and infrastructure destroyed by military operations in the militancy-affected Malakand area and the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
Development Co-operation Minister Ulla Tornaes said after talks with Shaukat Tarin, Pakistan's Minister for Finance, that her government would increase its development assistance to the Islamic country to support early recovery and reconstruction work in violence-ravaged areas.
She said her visit to Islamabad was also to convey her government's support to Pakistan in the latter's war against terror and that the two countries were united to fight this war.
Tornaes told the media, during a visit to a camp set up at Jalozai in Noshwera district for people displaced by military operations against the Taliban, that her country was committed through the Friends of Democratic Pakistan to do its best to assist it in combating radicalization and terrorism, and support Pakistan people in the struggle.
Development Projects In Waziristan
Meanwhile, Pakistan officials, in collaboration with the US Agency for International Development, are preparing to implement a development initiative worth USD 55 million in the restive South Waziristan tribal region.
A spokesman for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Secretariat said USD 25 million was allotted for rehabilitating and reconstructing roads under the Strategic Assistance Agreement comprising "quick impact projects."
And, USD 18 million would be spent on water-supply projects and agricultural irrigation, while USD 12 million would be utilized for restoring the damaged electricity infrastructure and the creation of standby capacity, he said.
Considering the fast-track nature of these projects, the road and electricity projects would be completed in 12 months and water supply projects in 15 months, he added.
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