18 January 2004	Sunday	25 Ziqa'ad 1424

PESHAWAR, Jan 17: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that the Lowari tunnel, a dream project of the Chitrali people, will definitely be constructed and spadework on the project was now a matter of months.

Talking to a four-member delegation, led by MNA Abdul Akbar, MPAs Maulana Muhammad Jehangir and Maulana Abdur Rehman and MMA leader Maulana Rehmatullah, which called on him here, the governor said it would prove a milestone in bringing a pleasant change in people's life.

In fact, he said, President General Pervez Musharraf was taking personal interest in the project and had already announced linking Chitral with Gilgit via Broghal Pass.

He said the Nowshera-Chakdarra-Chitral road has already come under the purview of the National Highway Authority and within a few years the entire region would be inter-connected through a network of quality roads.

MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali informed the governor that work on construction of Chitral Garam Cheshma road was in progress and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had provided additional funds of Rs10 million for it.

He also requested the governor to help in the provision of C130 flights for the Chitrali people.

SIX BRIDGES COMPLETED: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that reconstruction of six out of eight bridges falling on Kohat-Khushalgarh Road have already been completed.

This has eased the traffic flow to a great extent while the remaining bridges are also expected to be completed shortly, he added.

Talking to a 12-member delegation of Pakistan Muslim League from Kohat, which called on him here at the Governor House on Friday, the governor said that in response to the persistent demand from the traders community of the area, a case has already been taken up with the authorities concerned not only for the improvement and upgradation of the Railway system between Kohat and Rawalpindi but also for the provision of direct rail service for Lahore.

The governor said the construction of small dams is aimed at improving the irrigation facilities for the promotion of agriculture production and with the same object in mind, the Gandiali Dam in Kohat has been completed.