MANSEHRA: The Lower Kohistan police have begun snap checking at the district’s entry points on the Karakoram Highway and other arteries for the security of foreigners working on mega energy projects.

“We have deployed police across the district to prevent the entry of people without thorough vehicle and body search,” district police officer Mohammad Umar said in an official statement.

He said the police were deployed on the Karakoram Highway, other roads connecting Malakand with the district, and infrequent routes leading to Lower Kohistan.

“Motorists and commuters are not allowed to travel on KKH and other major roads here without checking,” he said.

The DPO said it was the police’s top priority to maintain peace in the district and therefore, all security measures were being taken.

Say move meant for security of foreign workers

He said security checks led to the arrest of people wanted for murder, car theft, drug trafficking, and other crimes, who were later produced before courts for physical remand.

“We also seized arms being smuggled through the KKH,” it said.

Also, the Mansehra police have busted a gang of car snatchers.

Pakhal DSP Javed Khan told reporters here on Monday that stolen vehicles were recovered from the detainees led by Asad Abdul Qayyum.

Completion of Torghar projects demanded

The residents of Torghar on Monday demanded relocation of the offices of the communication and works department to the district’s headquarters to ensure the timely completion of development projects.

“Most of the people here don’t have access to healthcare, education and communication facilities as the projects launched by the successive governments are in the slow lane,” resident Nazir Mian told Dawn.

Leading a group of locals, Mr Mian said the residents took up the issue with deputy commissioner Anwar Zeb Khan, who promised the early relocation of the communication offices.

“Work on the district headquarters hospital was launched in 2017 with the deadline fixed for 2021 but it has yet to be completed to the suffering of locals,” he said.

The resident also complained that work on the Indus River Bridge in Kotkay Kundar was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his previous tenure but it was later suspended.

Another local, Rubnawaz, said the Darband-Thakot Road, which connected Torghar with other parts of Hazara Division through the Karakoram Highway and Hazara Expressway, awaited blacktopping.

“Work on this project began two years ago but was suspended by the contractor four to five months ago,” he said.

Mr Rabnawaz also said projects for infrastructure and school development in Torghar were facing long delays due to the indifference of the communication and works department and a shortage of funds. He demanded early relocation of the communication department offices to Judbah and provision of funds.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2024