MANSEHRA: Inspector General of Police (Motorways) Kaleem Imam on Monday opened the Mansehra-Thakot section of Hazara Expressway to traffic.

Mr Imam inspected the section ahead of its opening and spoke to the officials at various points and toll plazas about the safety of road users.

The National Highway Authority had decided about the soft opening of the expressway’s Mansehra-Thakot section before Eidul Azha to address traffic issues in Hazara division.Federal minister for communications Murad Saeed is expected to formally inaugurate the section after Eidul Azha.

FLOUR SHORTAGE: With Eidul Azha just a few days away, flour shortage and surge in the prices of kitchen items have been reported here.However, the food department denied shortage of essential goods.

According to residents, the 20kg bag of fine quality four is sold for Rs1,250-Rs1,300 in Shinkiari, Jabori and adjoining areas against the previous price of Rs1,200.

The flour of other qualities have also witnessed an increase of Rs50 per bag.

Ajmal Khan said the sugar’s price had gone up from Rs85 per kg to Rs90 per kg.

He asked the administration to control prices. When contacted, assistant food controller Shaukat Sultan said millers supplied wheat flour across the district at the subsidised rate of Rs860 per 20kg.

He said the administration had set up flour stalls across the district and that they was no shortage of food items.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2020