FOREIGN SECRETARY INAUGURATES FOREIGN OFFICE SPONSORED GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL IN CHINARI, AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR

Foreign Secretary has inaugurated the Foreign Office sponsored Girls High School in Chinari, Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed, Deputy Chairman of ERRA and senior officials of the AJK Government were present on the occasion.

The Government Girls High School in Chinari, Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been built through the voluntary donations by the officers and staff in Pakistan's diplomatic missions abroad and at the Foreign Office.

The school has been built near the site of the previous school which was destroyed following the tragic earthquake on 8 October 2005. The former Girls High School in Chinari consisted of only two rooms. After the earthquake the children were attending classes in tents.

The work on the school project started in September 2006. The committee of officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Additional Secretary Shahid Kamal monitored the work on the school project.

The school has been built at an estimated total cost of Rs.12.8 million. The built up area of the school is about 6200 sq ft. Its design and structure conform to the safety and quality standards approved by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA).

The Girls High School will cater for over 150 students from Nursery to Class-X. The school consists of eleven well furnished classrooms, an administrative block, computer and science labs and other amenities.

The Foreign Office received valuable advice and support from Deputy Chairman of ERRA, Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed who had been closely associated with the school project.

Mrs. Aisha Khan, President, Mountain and Glacier Protection organization (MGPO) assisted the Foreign Office in executing the construction work and provided logistic support and coordination for the project.

The Girls High School, Chinari is a flagship project in terms of its high quality design, earthquake resistant construction and excellent learning facilities. The school symbolises the contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards the nation's resolve to improve the living conditions of those who suffered from the worst natural calamity that struck Pakistan.

The girls of Chinari will now be able to pursue their studies in a well equipped school and a conducive learning environment.

After its inauguration the school has been formally handed over to the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

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