ABBOTTABAD: A Saudi Arabia-funded Rs21 billion residential facility was inaugurated at the Ayub Teaching Hospital here on Tuesday.

The project named ‘Saudi Housing Complex Ayub Medical Institute Abbottabad’, which comprises 114 residential apartments, is a grant from the Saudi government to the people of Pakistan.

The project was inaugurated by Dr Khaled Bin Sulaiman Alkhudairy, vice chairman and managing director of Saudi Fund for Development.

The project includes 19 buildings, with each building having six apartments and 164,065 feet gross floor area. The project has been executed by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra).

Habibullah Bukhari, deputy head of mission, Embassy of Saudi Arabia, and Engr Abdullah Al Shoabi, regional manager operation department, Saudi Fund for Development, were the chief guests at the ceremony. Brig Aftab Qureshi, director general, project headquarters Erra, shared the details about the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Engr Al Shoabi said, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have a very cordial relationship and we are very pleased with the completion of this project.” He applauded the efforts of Erra for completing the project before the due date. It is to mention here that the project began in July 2017.

Project director presented shields to the Saudi delegates, hospital director Dr Athar Lodhi and representatives of consultant firms and construction companies.

DRIVE AGAINST DRUG PEDDLERS: The Abbottabad police have stepped up campaign against drug peddlers, with special focus on curbing the increasing use of ice drug among the youth.

A police spokesman said on Tuesday that a large quantity of the contraband was seized during a campaign launched on Nov 6 on the directives of district police officer Abbas Majeed Marwat, which ended on Nov 26.

During the campaign, he said the police recovered 153kg hashish, 7kg heroin, 48 bottles of liquor and 63 gram ice (crystal), while 156 cases were registered against drug peddlers.

He said raids were conducted at different places with special attention on the spots near the educational institutions after reports that drug sellers were targeting university and college students.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2018