EU ambassador assures CM of support for new projects

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka on Tuesday discussed two new projects aimed at helping those affected by the 2022 floods.

The meeting held at the CM House was also attended by Christian Raitz of the EU, Planning & Development Chairman Najam Shah and Secretary to the CM Raheem Shaikh. One project involves the reconstruction of school buildings damaged by the floods, while the other project aims to provide solar panels to people living off-grid, read a statement issued by the CM House.

The provision of solar panels will be done in two phases, with the first phase targeting those who are living off-grid, and the second phase targeting others who are in need. During the meeting the CM mentioned that heavy floods in 2022 had damaged 20,000 of the 40,000 school buildings, causing serious problems in providing education to children.

He expressed his intention to seek support from donor agencies to construct new school buildings. The ambassador assured the CM that she would discuss this matter with the EU authorities to help resolve the issue.

Another topic discussed during the meeting was the provision of solar panels to those living off-grid and in remote areas. The CM mentioned that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had promised providing solar panels to those in need, as part of his election manifesto. Ambassador Kionka expressed her support for this project, and assured the CM that it would be backed.