KOHAT, Nov 12 The military authorities here on Friday announced to keep the Kohat Friendship Tunnel open round the clock from November 14 to facilitate people travelling to their hometowns for celebrating Eidul Azha.

The night ban on traffic was imposed due to security concerns following a car bomb blast in the tunnel by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan during military operation in Darra Adamkhel in 2008.

The authorities in consultation with the National Highway Authority also decided to keep the tunnel open at night time to facilitate the returning pilgrims after Eidul Azha. The 1.99km tunnel between Kohat district and tribal Darra Adamkhel connects the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Peshawar.

Officials said that the tunnel had been opened temporarily keeping in view the difficulties faced by the pilgrims and public. However, he said that efforts would be made to keep the route open for 24 hours permanently after reviewing the security situation during and after Eid holidays.

Meanwhile, the military and the tunnel administration had beefed up security on the Indus Highway on both sides of the tunnel and every vehicle was being checked thoroughly.

APPOINTMENT The School Headmasters Association (SHA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has demanded separate cadre for them and appointment in grade-18 like other provinces. The SHA provincial president Haji Mir Qadam Khan at a meeting held here on Friday regretted that they had been kept in the joint seniority list with the subject specialists, which was affecting their promotions.