CHITRAL: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday announced work on the Lowari Tunnel project would be completed by the end of the next year.

“I will inaugurate the project in December 2016 at all costs.

“The people of Chitral will not be made to wait any longer for the project’s completion,” he told the earthquake-affected people of Chitral during a function here.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak was also present on the occasion.

The prime minister said the required funds would be provided for the tunnel project, the most vital for the area.

He asked the National Highway Authority to accelerate work on the project to meet the deadline of the end of 2016.

Mr Nawaz directed the local administration to begin disbursement of cheques to the calamity-hit people by next Monday and asked the National Disaster Management Authority to concentrate on relief operations.

He said no delay or laxity in relief activities would be tolerated as the harsh winter season had already begun in the area.

The prime minister said the NDMA should provide earthquake victims with weather-resistant tents.

He also announced several development projects for the district, including the laying of a special transmission line for supplying 30 megawatts of electricity from Golen Gol hydropower project to Chitral to end loadshedding once and for all.

The other projects included installation of a modern, disaster-prone intra-district road communication system for Chitral-Shandur Road, Chitral-Garam Chashma Road and Chitral-Bumburate Road.

Strict security arrangements were made for the prime minister’s visit.

The road leading to the DHQ Hospital remained closed for hours due to the prime minister’s possible visit to the hospital to meet the injured.

Jughur villagers protested the cancellation of the prime minister’s ‘scheduled’ visit to the area, where score of houses were destroyed by Monday’s earthquake.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play