AT-KABUL: Work on the second lane of Torkham-Jalalabad road was resumed on Monday after a long-time delay.
A ceremony was held in Jalalabad city of eastern Nangarhar province to resume work on construction of second lane of the road. The ceremony was attended by a large number of people including parliamentarians, tribal notables and senior Afghan officials.
According to a press release issued by Pakistan’s Embassy in Kabul, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Syed Abrar Hussain, said that his country attached utmost importance to its ties with brotherly country, Afghanistan. He added that Pakistan has actively been contributing to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.
He said that the construction of the road would not only improve regional connectivity but would tremendously facilitate the Afghan transit trade and travel of business community and the general public as well.
The Ambassador highlighted the projects built with Pakistan’s bilateral assistance for the socio-economic uplift of Afghanistan, particularly Allama Iqbal Arts Faculty in University of Kabul, Liaquat Ali Khan Engineering University in Bulkh, Naeb Aminullah Khan Hospital, Logar 400-Bed Jinnah Hospital in Kabul, Nishtar Kidney Center in Jalalabad, and the provision of three thousand scholarships for the Afghan students.
He stated that the two brotherly countries’ ties were improving in all fields.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Maj. General Muhammad Afzal, assured that all possible efforts would be made to complete the road well in time according to international standard which would cost almost Rs. 7 billion.
Welcoming the Ambassador and Director General, FWO, the Acting governor of Nangarhar expressed optimism that the construction of the road would bring the two brotherly countries further closer.
He lauded the contribution made by Pakistan for the development of infrastructure, education and health sectors.
He said that the people of Afghanistan were grateful to Pakistan which fulfilled their long standing demand by recommencing work on the road.