Denying Tunnels usage unacceptable
Chitral
-- In the wake of hyper inflation and run amok price hike of
essential commodities, it is criminal to keep the Lowari tunnels
closed for traffic and accentuate the miseries of the beleaguered
inhabitants of Chitral. This was stated by Wg Cdr (r) Fardad Ali
Shah, PTI leader and social worker, in a statement to the press on
Tuesday.
He said road tunnels are meant to be used for traffic and denying
that for any reason is unacceptable. He said if there are any
security concerns they should be addressed objectively instead
of denying the tunnels altogether. 'cutting the head to cure the
headache' is not the way, he added.
He quoted the Kohat tunnel which is has been in the eye of the
storm as far as security is concerned but the tunnel has never been
closed for a single day throughout the war on terror. He said, hand
held explosive detectors as used by the troops on the Malakand pass
should be sufficient to detect any explosive laden vehicle and after
checking each vehicle it should be allowed to pass through.
He said saving three hours of perilous journey over the 10500
ft pass by hundreds of vehicles each day is too much of a reason to
justify opening both the tunnels immediately for round the clock
traffic. He said if the same would be done when the pass closes for
traffic next month, why can't it be done today? If there is a
will to help suffering humanity, I will show you a hundred ways, he
said. -