MANSEHRA: The Lower Kohistan police have restricted the entry of non-customs paid vehicles to the neighbouring Upper Kohistan district and Gilgit-Baltistan through the Karakoram Highway following the Dasu bus explosion.

“The security of the entire district has been tightened, while the NCP vehicles bound for Upper Kohistan and Gilgit-Baltistan from Malakand division are not allowed to proceed through the KKH following the Dasu bus blast,” district police officer Zulfiqar Khan Jadoontold reporters on Friday.

He said all vehicles coming in from across the country and Malakand division were checked at the Chakai police post in Lower Kohistan and only those cleared were allowed to go to Upper Kohistan and GB.

“The NCP vehicles entering our district from Malakand are impounded and passengers are allowed to return,” he said.

Mr Jadoon said tourists bound for GB were allowed to go ahead only after thorough checking and production of vaccination certificates, while the others were sent back.

“DIG of Hazara Range Mirvais Niaz through a circular ordered the police not to allow tourists to go ahead if they don’t produce Covid-19 vaccination certificates. We are strictly following his orders,” he said.

Mr Jadoon defended the ban on the entry of NCP vehicles from Malakand.

“The vehicles coming in from Malakand division are without legal documents, so they can cause trouble in our region,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2021