China to provide $14M for rebuilding of damaged schools in tribal districts

ISLAMABAD: China signed an agreement with Pakistan in Islamabad on Thursday to help repair and rebuild damaged government schools in the Bara division of Khyber Agency.
The Chinese authorities will provide $14 million under the agreement, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), which will be used to reconstruct 68 damaged schools to improve the education infrastructure in the area and enroll more students.
Khyber Agency is part of the former Federally Administered Tribal Area. Much of the infrastructure in the region was destroyed in recent years as the country battled a rising tide of violent extremism in its volatile northwestern territories. As Pakistan’s security forces fought militant groups of various ideologies, members of radical groups frequently targeted schools and other educational facilities, particularly girls’ schools.
With the security situation gradually improving across the country, the authorities are trying to address development issues in a region that was previously infested with militants, and prepare the inhabitants for more peaceful and secure lives.
The Chinese Ambassador to Islamabad Yao Jing applauded Islamabad’s efforts to accelerate economic growth and promised further support in the future to administrations in all parts of the country.
Beijing and Islamabad are already working on the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is considered one of the most significant projects being carried out under the “one belt and one road” Initiative.