Built anew: Park reopens after two-year hiatus

Rehabilitated by UNDP, TMA at a cost of Rs36 million.

MINGORA:

After being washed away by the floods in 2010, the Fiza Ghat Park in Swat Valley was opened anew on Thursday.

The park has been rebuilt at a cost of Rs36 million, in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA). It was inaugurated by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Forests Wajid Ali Khan and Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority (PaRRSA) Director General Zaheerul Islam.



Talking to The Express Tribune after the ceremony, Islam said the park has been one of the major entertainment facilities for locals and tourists. He aid that PaRRSA is investing $25 million in various development schemes in Malakand Division which includes rebuilding destroyed structures. A majority of the development projects under phase one of the scheme have been completed, he said, adding that negotiations with donor agencies are underway to launch the second phase of the scheme.

Islam expressed his satisfaction over the restoration of peace in the district and vowed that the developmental works will be completed on time. “[Swat valley] will once again regain its lost glory,” he added.

UNDP representative Maryam Khan said that the park is a gift from UNDP to the people of Swat and tourists.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2012.