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Zilla council lambastes Federal govt for creating hurdles in tunnel opening

CHITRAL, 02 Feb, 09:  Zilla council Chitral unanimously passed a resolution Monday, condemning the federal government for not allowing the use of Lowari tunnel for stranded residents of Chitral. Chaired by its convener Sultan Shah. Members were unanimous to hurl condemnation on the federal government for turning down the repeated requests of the district government to solve the problem. They alleged that the government did not want peace and tranquility in the district because the passions of the pubic run high due to the closure of the Lowari Top multiplying their problems.

District nazim Maghfirat Shah said that the federal government is showing indifference towards the agonies of the people and has left the population of 5 lakh totally helpless. He warned that forced by the adverse circumstances, people of Chitral are planning to launch protest movement and the district government has no alternate but to lead them.

He said a few elements in the government are active to create hurdles for the people of Chitral and thwarted all efforts of the district government to open the tunnel for the people. He said that both the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the construction company Sambu had told the district government that the opening of the tunnel for passengers daily for two hours was feasible but those in the federal government opposed it for no cogent reason. Mr. Shah warned that the district is heading towards turmoil day by day and the government will lose its very writ if their problem is not addressed timely.

The distinct nazim rejected the other option of connecting the district with the rest of the country through the Kunar province of Afghanistan and said that the very situation in the tribal areas of Khyber and Mohamand agencies are highly volatile  how can people travel safely on such route he said. --(Zahiruddin)