CHITRAL NEWS 

 

Truck scanner for Lowari tunnel -letter2

 

I fully endorse the views of Tariq Farooqi regarding  allowing goods trucks to pass through the tunnel. The amount of foreign exchange it will save in terms of imported fuel and wear and tear of the vehicles (even if we disregard the convenience to the people in terms of reduction in prices of commodities and time saving}, it is worth the cost of two scanners one at each end of the tunnel.

 

 I also recommend opening of the tunnel daily for six hours during day time. The finishing work of the tunnel can be carried out for the rest 18 hours. It is indeed a pity that every organisation in Pakistan shows it's job difficult to increase its importance/nuisance value,  whereas actually the job is simple

 

Thankyou Mr Tariq, If you, sitting in Karachi can take time out and propose sensible and practicable steps to allay the miseries of Chitralis, I wish our leaders are granted similar vision  by God Almighty.

 

Faridul Haq.

Chitral

21 Nov 09..

 

Truck scanner for Lowari tunnel -letter

 

Reading the news about problems faced by the Chitralis  on the Lowari pass and about the tunnel, I have noted following:

1. The tunnel will be open for limited timings [two hours daily] which is better then nothing.

2. This limited opening is not for all traffic, which is a big problem.

Reason cited for not allowing all traffic is security, but as a result of not allowing Trucks to use Tunnel there is increase in cost of goods which include food items also. While poor are forced to pay more which they can hardly afford, to keep cost of selected food items Government is giving some subsidy.  Now all this on National level is increasing our Import bill for Fuel consumed by taking a longer route.                                                                        
 
When Tunnel was not there even in semi finished form then it was O.K. but now when we have it and not use it on the excuse of Security thereby wasting money when we can save it, should not be condoned. If security is the concern then two of newly arrived Scanners from China for Islamabad could be diverted till this winter to Lowari.

Tariq Farooqi,
Karachi.
19 Nov 09

 

 

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