MANSEHRA: Tourists remained stranded in Kaghan valley for long hours on Friday after landslides blocked the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road.

Deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan told reporters that the MNJ Road was hit by landslides and mudflows at three places early morning and the National Highway Authority cleared it to traffic at around 3pm.

He said mountains in Kaghan valley had developed cracks after the 2005 earthquake, so whenever it rained for a long period of time, mud and rocks slid down.

The deputy commissioner said the people bound for Kaghan valley should drive carefully on MNJ Road to prevent landslides and mudflows.

NHA clears artery to traffic after many hours

The tourists called for the construction of embankments alongside the road to prevent damage to public life.

POWER PROTESTERS: The residents blocked the Darband-Oghi Road for many hours on Friday to protest the prolonged power cuts.

Led by Mohammad Liaquat and Habib Basikhel, they staged a sit-in at the Markazi Chowk in Darband area and shouted slogans against Pesco.

Mr Liaquat said the Pesco was subjecting the people of Darband and adjoining areas to power suspension for 14 hours daily.

He demanded the immediate removal of the Pesco chief.

Mr Basikhel warned if the unscheduled loadshedding didn’t stop, the residents would block the Darband-Oghi Road for an indefinite period.

The protesters went away after deputy superintendent of police Jehanzeb Khan showed up and assured them that he would take up the issue with the relevant authorities for necessary action.

CONFESSED: A man has confessed to stringing up his daughter and her husband for marrying of their free will in Batrair area here during Eid days.

The police produced him before judicial magistrate Qazi Adnan on Friday.

Police investigation officer Shahjehan Khan said three other accused would also be produced in the court.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2021