Islamabad, Pakistan: Saudi Arab has expressed concerns over delay in construction of Saudi-funded projects in Pakistan including King Abdullah Hospital Mansehra costing Rs 1.42 billion. However, Pakistan assured Saudi authorities on Saturday that project of hospital will be completed in next six months.  Saudi Mission Fund For Development (SFD) expressed concern over delay of mega Saudi-funded projects but Pakistan has requested them for another six months for construction of such mega projects. These projects were offered by Saudi Arabia in 2005 after massive devastated earthquake in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.
According to details, a meeting was held between the officials of Saudi Mission Fund For Development (SFD) and Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) here on Saturday in which Saudi delegation lead by Engineer Abdualah Al-Shoaibi expressed concern over the delay of Saudi funded projects. During the meeting ERRA official said that in KPK out of total 19 projects 15 have been completed with total cost of Rs 657.398 million while four mega projects which include King Abdullah Hospital Mansehra costing Rs 1429.434 million will be completed in next six months. It may be mentioned that Saudi government offered projects construction worth Rs 11.144 billions after 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir and KPK.
Sources added that acting Deputy Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Brig Abu Bakr Amin Bajwa vowed to complete all under construction projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu Kashmir on fast track basis.
Three member Saudi Mission Fund For Development (SFD) headed by Engineer Abdullah M Al-Shoaibi discussed to complete under construction schemes for the benefits of the people, who suffered heavily due to October 8, 2005 massive earthquake in these areas. High officials of ERRA, State Reconstruction Rehabilitation Authority (SERRA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Earthquake Reconstruction Rehabilitation Authority, contractor firms officials and consultants exchanged views and suggestions at the meeting to jack up work and remove bottlenecks for completion of under construction mega projects in AJK and KPK.
While eulogizing international partners and Saudi Arabia’s role in reconstruction, Acting Deputy Chairman said that ERRA in collaboration with international development partners has achieved exceptional results under Build Back Better strategy. He said ERRA’s inclusive approach to take all stakeholders on board have been successful not only in building back what was destroyed, but have also catered needs of communities for coming years.
ERRA officials said that the meeting of Saudi delegation, ERRA officials and contractors was held with an aim to remove hindrances and addressing issues for speedy reconstruction work which was in larger interest of people of affected areas.
He said since people and communities of areas have a strong need to educate their children, it is necessary to expedite reconstruction for the resilient of the communities. During the meeting, Saudi mission head stressed the need to complete under construction projects in time.
The official said three mega projects including District Saudi Mission Fund For Development (SFD) Complex Rawalakot, University of Chatter Klass Muzaffarabad and Government College of Education, Bagh construction work is in progress. Total cost of these mega projects are Rs 8,541.015 million. In the meeting it was also agreed that projects which were completed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will be jointly inaugurated shortly by SDF and ERRA.
