Pakistan army chief inaugurates Central Trade Corridor to Afghanistan

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A 76-kilometer-long road and the largest bridge in South Waziristan tribal agency of northern Pakistan bordering Afghanistan were inaugurated on Sunday by Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif to facilitate trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, said the military.

A statement issued by media wing of Pakistan military, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the Shakai-Makeen road, funded by USAID, is an important section of the upcoming Central Trade Corridor (CTC). It described the CTC as a strategic road link to improve Pak-Afghan trade that would directly and indirectly contribute in reviving the economy.

The military further said that the newly constructed roads have reduced traveling times considerably. General Raheel Sharif on the occasion said that the development of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is a "priority task" being undertaken by the army.

The ISPR statement also added that the Pakistan army has undertaken 178 projects so far in the social sector, communication infrastructure and power sector in FATA and Malakand areas. These projects are aimed to improve the quality of life in tribal areas and address the problem of militancy on a long-term basis.

COAS inaugurated the CTC at a time when Pakistan military is undergoing major operations 'Zarb e Azb' and 'Khyber-I' against the foreign and local militants in the tribal areas.