MANSEHRA: The district administration on Friday announced a four-day suspension of travel to Gilgit-Baltistan via the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road to facilitate the installation of a large steel bridge over a stream in the Mahandri area of Kaghan valley.

“As the main bridge over the Mahandristream was swept away in last year’s flash floods, we’re putting up a steel bridge there. During that exercise from June 15 to June 18,the MNJ Road will remain closed to traffic,” DPO Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told reporters in Kaghan Valley.

Deputy Commissioner Khaliq Iqbal and DPO Gandapur visited the tourist facilitation centre at Damgalla and paid surprise visits to police stations in Naran and Paras to inspect security arrangements for both domestic and foreign tourists visiting the valley.

Mr Gandapur said the new 33-foot-wide bridge would help accommodate the influx of tourists during the summer season and ensure uninterrupted travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“This bridge, which was destroyed in last year’s flash floods, had suspended inter-provincial traffic for weeks. The new bridge is crucial for safe and efficient travel,” he said.

The DPO said though Shogran would remain accessible, the MNJ Road’s section between Mahandri and Babusar Top, a key route to Gilgit-Baltistan, would be completely closed during the bridge’s installation.

He said Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Mehmood and Deputy Inspector General of Police Hazara Range Nasir Mehmood Satti had ordered enhanced security in the valley, which led to the deployment of additional personnel.

“The DC and I met with national and international tourists to learn about their experience and ensure that the security and facilitation measures are up to their expectations,” he said.

Meanwhile, a circular issued by the district administration confirmed the road’s closure and advised tourists and transporters to plan their travel accordingly, as Kaghan Valley would also remain closed for visitors.

BAN DEMANDED: The management board of the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (Kath) on Friday urged the government to ban private practice by doctors posted to public sector hospitals.

“Patients suffer at the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital as some doctors refer them to their private clinics and health centres to make money,” member of the hospital’s management board Mukhtar Awan told reporters.

He said the government should ensure that all patients visiting Kath receive free medicines and diagnostic services free of charge.

“Some doctors posted here come only to pass time to the suffering of patients,” he insisted.

Mr Awan urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati to play an active role in replacing doctors involved in malpractice with honest professionals.

Another board member, Khalid Khan, emphasised the importance of Kath, calling it the only tertiary healthcare facility in the upper parts of Hazara Division.

“This health facility is equipped with machines and surgical tools found only in modern private hospitals across the country, yet patients still struggle to receive quality healthcare,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025