PESHAWAR: The Kukikhel tribesmen of Khyber tribal district have accepted a government request to hand over possession of land to National Highway Authority, thus allowing it to complete the remaining section of the long-awaited Northern Bypass Road.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, Peshawar division commissioner Riaz Mehsood said that the Kukikhel tribesman had agreed during a jirga to hand over the land to NHA after holding negotiations with an official team. He added that the issue pending for last 16 years had finally been resolved.

He said that after completion of the remaining portion of the Northern Bypass Road from Khyber district’s Takhta Beg area to Nasir Bagh Road in the provincial capital, the travel distance from motorway to Takhta Beg would be reduced to 18 minutes.

“It would also help smooth flow of traffic on the Jamrud Road, University Road, Ring Road and GT Road.”

“The road will be open for traffic by December 31 this year. Commuters to and from Afghanistan, Khyber and Peshawar will use the same road. The artery will also reduce traffic issues in Karkhano market, Hayatabad and on Ring Road,” Mr Mehsood said, adding that NHA had been directed to start construction work immediately.

The commissioner also said that the affected people would soon meet the chief minister to discuss the payment of compensation.

He added that Khyber deputy commissioner Captain retired Sanaullah had played a vital role in resolving the long-awaited issue.

Mr Mehsood also said that the residents of the provincial capital would soon hear good news about construction of the Southern Bypass Road as well.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Quetta bombing
Updated 10 Nov, 2024

Quetta bombing

THERE appears to be no end to the stream of violent incidents occurring in Balochistan, indicating a clear failure ...
Burdened courts
10 Nov, 2024

Burdened courts

ACCORDING to recent reports, the new chief justice has set about implementing a recently adopted plan for clearing...
Playing in Pakistan
10 Nov, 2024

Playing in Pakistan

MOHSIN Naqvi, Pakistan’s cricket chief, has shown a brave face. Now he has to be unrelenting and put the onus on...
Wake-up call
Updated 09 Nov, 2024

Wake-up call

Pakistan must heed UN's wake-up call and bring its laws and practices in line with its international human rights obligations.
Foreign banks’ exit
09 Nov, 2024

Foreign banks’ exit

WHY are foreign banks leaving Pakistan? In the last couple of decades, we have seen a number of global banking...
Kurram protest
09 Nov, 2024

Kurram protest

FED up with the state’s apathy towards their plight, the people of Kurram tribal district took to the streets on...