May 25, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

LAKKI MARWAT, May 24: The closure of Kohat Tunnel and military operation against militants in Darra Adamkhel has hindered the transportation of melons from the district to Peshawar and other parts of the province.

“Melons are grown on large scale in the district and it is also exported to other parts of the country,” a local melon grower Shadi Khan told this scribe on Saturday.

He said that round and streaky melons were liked for deliciousness everywhere in the country especially in Punjab and Frontier provinces.

“The closure of Kohat tunnel every other day, owing to the disturbance in Darra Adamkhel and military offensives against the militants in the tribal area have incurred financial losses on the local farmers engaged with the business of melons transportation,” he maintained.

“Rising militancy and poor writ of law in Darra Adamkhel besides affecting business activities in the adjoining areas have also hindered the timely transportation of melons from Lakki Marwat district to Peshawar and other partsof the province,” Ismatullah, president Fruit and Vegetable Association Lakki chapter said.

“There is a great demand of melons grown in Lakki Marwat district in Peshawar and other areas of frontier province”, he said, adding that the vehicles transporting sacks of melons have to queue up for several hours outside the tunnel, if it is close causing delay in transportation of the commodity to the markets in Peshawar and other areas.

He demanded of the government and high ups of the law enforcement agencies to ensure opening of the Kohat Tunnel round-the-clock and safety of Indus Highway in Darra Adamkhel at all costs.