PESHAWAR (B RECORDER December 23, 2010) : Residents of Chitral Wednesday staged a protest demonstration outside press club against closure of Lowari Tunnel project and freezing of funds of the concerned construction company. The protesters warned that in case government failure to release funds before the end of the current calendar year they would launch a province-wide agitation against it.
They were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands. The protest demonstration was led by former MNA Mualana Abdul Akbar Chitrali along with scores of residents of Chitral. Speaking on the occasion, ex-MNA Abdul Akbar said that the Lowari Tunnel project is not only a mega scheme for the province, but it would benefit the entire country. Despite the fact, he said that the government had extended step motherly attitude to the project.
He said the scheme was scheduled to complete during the current year but it didn't complete in the stipulated period due to negligence of the present government. He said about 45 percent construction work had been completed, but 55 percent was still remaining.
The project, he said, was initiated with estimated cost of Rs 8 million. But now it would be completed at Rs 23 billion with additional amount. He demanded of the federal government to immediate clear dues of Korean company, resume construction work on scheme before end of the year, otherwise they would launch a protest campaign against it.