Norwaigan Ambassador visited Chitral

Visit of H.E. Robert Kvile, the Norwegian Ambassador to Chitral Integrated Area Development Program (CIADP),

CHITRAL: His Excellence Robert Kvile, Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan visited Chitral he went to Beori Gol in Southern and Chapli-Chunj area in Northern Chitral. The First Secretary Mr. Tor Haug and Program Advisor Naufil Naseer accompanied him. He formally opened the Program Management Unit (PMU) of CIADP, visited projects proposed field areas and met with range of community notables of the District Chitral that included the District Nazim Maghfrirst Shah , DCO Rahmatullah Wazir, DPO Jafar Khan, Commandant Chitral Scouts, Tehsil & Union Council Nazims and councilors, religious personalities, representatives of AKDN, IUCN & SRSP and other local civil society organizations.

He interacted with communities elders in Beori Gol and Chapli-Chunj to learn about their identified and prioritized problems and received on spot technical briefings from THRIVE on possible sustainable solutions. Communities appreciated CIADP and efforts of THRIVE and thanked Norway for this long awaited people centered support.

Ambassador said that Norway & Chitral share many similarities like love for Mountains, nature and culture and this relation dates back to 1929 – first Norwegian expedition to Trichmir (the most highest mountain of Chitral having the altitude of 25000 feet height from sea level.

The Norwegian Ambassador appreciated the role and support of the Chitral District Government & District Administration to develop and endorse CIDAP. He thanked them for their support since 2006, which is an indictor of CIADP’s local ownership. He specially appreciated the efforts of the District Nazim Maghfarat Shah

He explained that CIADP is a non governmental support modality and Non political development program honoring communities needs and seeks their support to gradually reach out to the whole of Chitral

He said that we hopeful for aims to strengthen Local Governance System hence will need support of the government functionaries & elected representative

He shared that THRIVE has been selected as CIADP grant managers through a nation wide competitive process, with the consent & participation of the CDG represented through the Nazim and Embassy reposes full confidence in them.

He informed that the Kingdom of Netherlands has joined Norway in support of CIADP and its success will lead to more development partners joining us

He assured to the people of Chitral that CIADP will be executed in a transparent manner as per their aspiration and he will return to Chitral in Spring to personally evaluate the work done under CIADP.

G.H. Farooqi PO Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone NO. +92 3025989602, 0943-302295, 414418

Email: gulhamad@gmail.com