Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in collaboration with Agha Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) and German Development Bank (KfW) effectively set up 306 KW hydro power plant in Gazeen, Chitral, for providing renewable energy to hundreds of households.
The Hydropower Plant installed will benefit 335 households and impact five villages namely Gazen, Dubargar, Unawich, Skermud and Kurkun.This plant is one of the PPAF’s four hydro power stations recently commissioned for communities in remote areas of KP.
Inauguration of the new power plant in Gazeenwas done by Federal Minister for Energy, Mr Omar Ayub Khan along with Mr Wolfgang Mollers, Country Director Pakistan, KfW and CEO Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Qazi Azmat Isa on Saturday.
Federal Minister for Energy, Mr Omar Ayub Khan said on this occasion, “PPAF has done a commendable job today; the success of this hydro power plant could change the lives of hundreds of locals. I would urge PPAF and other organizations to continue working towards empowering people in every corner of Pakistan. The need of the hour is to focus on building human skills development center to work on capacity building.”
Country Head KfW Wolfgang Mollers said, “KfW has always lended support to organizations working for improving the lives of underprivileged communities. I would like to congratulate PPAF on the completion of this monumental project and hope this is the beginning of a prosperous chapter for the region.”
CEO PPAF, Qazi Azmat Isa shared his thoughts on the completion of the project and said, “PPAF started its journey 20 years ago and I am proud to claim that today our commitment ; towards improving the lives of the fellow citizens has been more strengthened. I am hopeful that with this hydro power project we will make a considerable impact on the lives of locals not only in terms of prosperity but by also inculcating new annals of women empowerment, literacy, entrepreneurship and skill development”.
The project is funded by Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW) whereas Agha Khan Rural Support Program is the implementing partner.