Hazara is an important region of Pakistan with an estimated population of 4.5 million people. A tourist area, it is very famous for its scenic and serene valleys like Naran, Kaghan, Nathiagalli, Thandiani and Galliyat.

Haripur district of the Hazara region houses the Tarbela Dam which has a great significance in fulfilling the water and energy needs of the whole country.

A two-lane National Highway, N35, connects the region of Hazara with other parts of the country as well as the neighbouring country China. This Highway starts from Hassanabdal (N5, GT Road) and extends to the Sost border with China.

This highway is one of the busiest highways of Pakistan and is frequently used by people of the Hazara Range as well as by those of northern areas. After the horrible earthquake of 2005, traffic on this road has quadrupled.

If somebody gets a chance to travel on this road, he cannot think of overtaking the other vehicle for very long intervals. As a result, the travel time has increased many times and commuters get extremely frustrated while travelling.

The federal government has recently decided to construct an expressway (E 35) between Hassanabdal and Mansehra on a new alignment, comprising a total length of about 95km. The project is supposed to be started from the FY 2009-10.

The people of Hazara are very depressed due to the indifferent and inadvertent attitude of the federal government. In the past, numerous pledges were made to widen this highway into a dual carriageway but it proved to be a dream that hasn't come true.

The public representatives of the Hazara region, including MNAs and senators, have also not raised this issue on the appropriate forums of the National Assembly and the Senate. I would like to tell the MNAs and senators of the Hazara region that they have not come up to the expectations that the people of Hazara have reposed in them. They have been unable to fulfil the responsibility of representing the people of this region in an apt and right way.

I would strongly urge them to break their silence and present this case on the floors of the National Assembly and the Senate with full vigour and vitality.

On the other hand, I would request the prime minister and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan and the ministry of communications to kindly expedite work on the crucial project of construction of Expressway 35. The people of the Hazara region would be highly indebted.

RAFAQAT WAHEED

Islamabad