ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: Local government representatives and traders of Chitral have demanded induction of more planes on the Peshawar-Chitral route as the Lowari Pass, linking the Chitral valley with other parts of the country remains closed to traffic in winter due to heavy snowfall. They said PIA operated 11 flights a week in summer but the number was not enough to cope with the rush of passengers in winter.

Moreover, the flights were subject to weather condition and often cancelled without compensatory flights, they added.

They criticized the government for delaying the induction of turboprop aircraft in place of the ageing Fokkers, which could mitigate the situation.

However, MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali told Dawn that PIA had recently entered into an agreement with a foreign company under which the national flag-carrier would induct seven turboprop (Dish-800) aircraft into its fleet in March and they would also replace the Fokkers on the Peshawar-Chitral route.

He said the government had assured him on the floor of the National Assembly that the project would not be delayed fu ther.

PIA District Sales Manager in Chitral Abdul Haleem Khan said there had been a phenomenal increase in the number of passengers on the over a few years.

He said when mode of travel to and from the valley restricted to the air travel in winter, they took extra care to make sure that passengers needing quick travel were given priority in allocation of seats.

SUICIDE: A newly-wed woman committed suicide by jumping into a river in the Drosh Koh area near Chitral on Thursday, reports Online.