Giving its verdict on an application filed by two local lawyers, the court said the practice would continue till March 31 next year.Senior Civil Judge Ali Raza ordered the government to immediately pay the arrears of the company undertaking work on the Lowari Tunnel.
The court directed the relevant authorities to allow the transportation of life saving drugs and the dead through the tunnel in case it was closed to traffic.It may be mentioned that High Court Bar Association Chitral-Circuit bench President Abdul Wali Khan and District Bar Association President Alamzeb had submitted the application to the senior civil judge seeking the opening of the Lowari Tunnel.
The federal government through the federal secretary communications, provincial government through the secretary communications, the National Highway Authority and project director of Lowari Tunnel had been made as respondents in the case.
In the application the two lawyers had requested the court to order the opening of the Lowari Tunnel as its closure could lead to the shortage of food items in the scenic valley.The lawyers had taken the plea the opening of the Lowari Tunnel would not affect the construction work as the Chitralis had been using the tunnel in winter since 2009.
From: The News - 21 Dec 2013