#Chitral MNA appeals to PM, PTI chief to help keep #Lowari Tunnel open

Chitral MNA appeals to PM, PTI chief to help keep Lowari Tunnel open

PESHAWAR: Shahzada Iftikharuddin, Member of the National Assembly from Chitral, has appealed to PM Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf head Imran Khan to pay attention to the suffering of the Chitrali people by ensuring that the snow-bound Lowari Tunnel remains open for more days and hours to enable passengers and goods to travel between Chitral and rest of the country.  

Talking to The News on Wednesday, he said the National Highway Authority (NHA) by clearing
the snow is keeping the Lowari Tunnel open for three hours daily on Saturday and Sunday only. “This isn’t enough. The tunnel should be kept open for more time and days to facilitate the stranded people of Chitral,” he stressed.

Shahzada Iftikharuddin urged the prime minister to initiate steps for assisting the half a million people of Chitral at a time when they need help. “Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf are remembered by the Chitralis as they served them and sanctioned funds for building the Lowari Tunnel to provide an all-weather road. You too would win the love of our people if your government completes the remaining 60 percent Lowari Tunnel project,” he said while addressing Nawaz Sharif.

The MNA from Chitral also made an appeal to Imran Khan as his PTI is in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asking him to devote attention to the district that area-wise is the largest in the province. “Chief Minister Pervez Khattak is trying to help us, but we need greater support from the provincial government. More than 200 trucks taking supplies are stranded in Chitral and Upper Dir on both sides of the Lowari Pass waiting to cross the tunnel,” he pointed out.

Published in The News