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A high level UK delegation
headed by Rt. Honourable Liam Byrne, Member
Parliament, Chief Secretary to Her Majesty’s
Treasury visited ERRA Headquarters, Islamabad on
February 15, 2010. The Chairman ERRA, Altaf
Muhammad Saleem welcomed the guests and thanked the
people and Government of UK for their timely
support, which helped the Government of Pakistan
and ERRA reduce the miseries and suffering of over
3.5 Million people of AJ&K and NWFP who were
affected by October 2005 earthquake. The Chairman
also apprised the visiting delegation of various
innovative strategies and policies devised by ERRA
to ensure speedy and seismic reconstruction of lost
infrastructure without compromising on its
self-imposed obligation to Build Back Better.
The Chairman’s opening remarks were followed by a
detailed briefing by Chief of Staff, Brig Masuood
Ahmad, on ERRA’s mission, role, mandate,
organisation and functioning. The members of
delegation were also informed about the mechanism
implemented by ERRA to ensure transparency and
accountability through regular monitoring and
evaluation, which has contributed towards enhancing
donors and sponsors confidence. ERRA’s flagship
Rural Housing Programme, nearing completion, is
expected to achieve over 96% success rate, which it
owes to community participation ensured by ERRA.
The members of delegation were also apprised of the
lessons ERRA has learnt by having managed the
aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in
the recent history.
While appreciating ERRA’s efforts and achievements,
Honourable Minister of UK Parliament, said that
Pakistani community in UK, which makes up a
significant proportion of country’s population, is
contributing towards UK’s development and
prosperity. ERRA’s efforts, in reconstruction and
rehabilitation, after huge disaster are looked upon
with great admiration in UK and Pakistan is quoted
as an example, where money has been judiciously
utilised to achieve the desired results. |
