BAJAUR: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has planned to undertake multiple infrastructure projects at the border crossing of Nawa Pass in Bajaur tribal district.

According to a statement, issued here on Thursday, the projects would ensure all the facilities required for functions of the route between Pakistan and Afghanistan for trade and movement of people.

It said that the announcement to launch infrastructure projects at Nawa Pass was made by a three-member delegation of UNDP in a meeting with senior officials of the district administration during their visit to the region.

The UNDP delegation, led by its merged areas governance programme (MAGP) manager Raluca Eddon, discussed the plan of launching several projects at Nawa Pass border crossing point with the officials in the meeting. The meeting was attended besides others by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwarul Haq, DPO Kashif Zulfiqar and the additional deputy commissioner, Hamza Zahoor, said the statement issued from the office of deputy commissioner.

Raluca Eddon informed the officials that establishment of an immigration hall, a terminal for pedestrians, waiting room, coffee and mosque at Nawa Pass were among the schemes planned by UNDP’s programme.

She told the officials that MAGP had almost completed arrangements for launching work on those projects. She said that work on the schemes would be commenced soon.

The deputy commissioner and other officials welcomed the initiative and assured the delegation of all kinds of support and assistance in successful completion of the projects. They thanked Raluca Eddon and her colleagues for visiting the district to sharing their plans with them.

Sources told this scribe that the authorities decided to reopen Nawa Pass border route, which had been closed since 2008, for trade and movement of people after Eidul Fitr.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2024