PESHAWAR / CHITRAL: Hundreds of people, including Japanese tourists, are stranded at Lowari Top due to the blockade of Lowari Tunnel.
A group of 10 Japanese tourists has been stranded for the past four days at Lowari Top since the tunnel was blocked by Korean construction company Sambo and National Highway Authority (NHA). Officials cite lack of funds as the reason behind the closure.
Local elders of Chitral, Muhammad Zahir Shah and Advocate Burhan Shah, demanded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to pay the amount to Sambo through NHA facilities so they would reopen the tunnel to facilitate the residents of Chitral. The entire district has been cut off from the rest of the country, while the tourists are also stranded.
Zahir Shah said due to the blockade, residents of the district are providing security to the tourists, whose visas will soon expire. He added despite pleading to the officials, the foreigners were not allowed to use the tunnel. He also said locals went with some of the tourists via Shandur to enter Gilgit and then find a way to reach Islamabad. Around 500 people, including students, could not send their applications and employment forms to the provincial public service commission, the last date for which passed on Friday, added Zahir.
Burhan Shah said if the government has decided not to open the tunnel, then they should provide an alternate route for the 0.6 million population of the district. He also criticised the decrease in the number of Pakistan International Airlines flights to Chitral.
Most Chitralis term the blockade of Lowari Tunnel a hand-in-glove situation of Sambo and NHA Chairman Maroof Afzal to extract funds from the government. Despite several attempts, Afzal could not be contacted for comments.
On Thursday, MPA Saleem Khan criticised the provincial government in a news conference for not releasing funds. Saleem Khan claimed the Awami National Party (ANP) government used to pay Rs0.3 million on a daily basis to Sambo from November till February, during which they would stop their work and open the tunnel for two hours so people could pass.
K-P Minister for Health Shaukat Yousafzai told The Express Tribune they have brought the issue to the notice of K-P Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak, who will soon discuss it with the relevant authorities and the tunnel will be opened.
Media Secretary of the chief minister Shiraz Paracha said completion of Lowari Tunnel is a top priority for Khattak. “The CM has directed district officials to cut unnecessary expenditures and divert funds for the completion of Lowari Tunnel,” he added.
Paracha said the K-P government is committed to finding a permanent solution to the annual crisis. “We are aware of the problems faced by the people and a meeting has been convened to discuss all obstacles in the completion of the tunnel,” he added. Paracha said there will be no problem on part of the K-P government in providing funds.
A meeting regarding Lowari Tunnel was held by K-P Chief Secretary Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, after which the government decided to approach NHA with a request to open the tunnel for three days after a fortnight.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2013.
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