MANSEHRA: District administration on Saturday announced that tourism activities in Kaghan Valley would shortly be resumed after the suspension of over five consecutive months as reopening of Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad and other roads is in full swings.

“We would take around a week to provide hassle free travelling and other services to visitors from across the country and abroad as MNJ Road is cleared till Battakundi, while reopening of Manoor Valley and Saiful Muluk roads is also underway,” Hasrat Khan, the assistant commissioner Balakot told reporters in Balakot.

He said that so far MNJ Road, which was blocked in November last year following the Kaghan Valley received winter season’s first snowfall, could soon be reopened to all sorts of traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“So far this important artery has been cleared up to Battakundi and within shortest possible time traffic could resume between both federating units via Babusar Top,” Mr Khan said.

The AC Balakot said that reopening work of the artery that connected Kaghan Valley’s commercial hub Naran with Saiful Muluk Road was also well underway and it would also be cleared to four-wheelers within days. “Snow and landslides from Manoor Valley Road are also being removed to connect it with MNJ Road,” Mr Khan said.

He said that the chief minister, chief secretary, secretary Tourism and Archeology and deputy commissioner Mansehra were personally taking interest in tourism promotion and directed district administration for better travelling and hospitality services to people.

Meanwhile, the police departments has also reopened Naran police station after almost over five consecutive months’ closure.

The police department’s media wing told reporters that Naran police station resumed its operation and all posts established along the MNJ Road would be made operational gradually as MNJ Road was being restored after cutting glaciers and clearing snow.

The SP Balakot Sabir Khan also visited the Naran police station, reviewed security arrangements and held meeting with the SHO and police personnel. “As traffic resumes between KP and GB, around a dozen posts established along the MNJ Road that remained closed for almost six months will be made functional to provide security to tourists and passengers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026