Swiss ambassador inaugurates powerhouse in Yarkhun
BANG: Ambassador of Switzerland Mr Thomas Kelly on Sunday formally inaugurated the 850 kilowatt hydel powerhouse in the Pavur village.
The powerhouse has been established through funds provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) under the supervision of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP). It started producing electricity last year.
Addressing a gathering of local people in the Pavur village, Mr Kelly expressed his pleasure over the construction of the powerhouse that is providing electricity over a dozen of villages in this far-off area of Chitral. He said the Swiss government would continue contributing to other projects in the area as well.
The ambassador said Chitral had lots of potential for tourism development and he was feeling like being in Switzerland. He said his country would also extend all possible assistance in promoting and exploiting the tourism potential of this area for the betterment of the locals.
He also asked the local people to continue participatory community development to bring a change in their lives.
The ambassador and his spouse were on the occasion presented traditional Chitrali caps.
In his welcome address, retired principal Sher Wali Khan Aseer thanked the Swiss government for providing funds for the powerhouse. He requested the envoy for assistance and cooperation in skill development of the youth of the area.
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Chief Executive Officer Akhtar Iqbal, AKRSP Regional Programme Manager Sardar Ayub and officials of the AKDN accompanied the guests.
The powerhouse at Pavur was completed last year and supplies electricity to villages from Zupu to Birzoz on both sides of River Yarkhun. There are about 1,800 houses connected to the powerhouse.–Abdul Nasir Khan
Swiss government’s efforts in providing electricity facility to the far flung areas of Chitral are highly appreciable.