CHITRAL, May 29: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has said that construction of Lowari tunnel would bring about economic development and prosperity in Chitral district. The project will be completed in four years at a cost of Rs10 billion.

Addressing a public meeting at thepolo ground here on Monday he said late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had initiated work on the tunnel, but successive governments had abandoned the important project.

He said the credit for re-launch of the project after decades went to President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The tunnel, he said, would not only provide an all-weather access to the district but would also put an end sense of deprivation and backwardness among the people of the area.

The minister announced to provide electricity to a number of villages and establish utility stores in five towns of the district.

He also announced to increase strength of the Chitral border force and induction of two Chitrali platoons in the Frontier Constabulary.

He said he would request President Musharraf to provide special grant for speedy development of Chitral.