MUZAFFARGARH: The local administration reopened Head Panjnad on Friday after a two-year closure.

Deputy Commissioner Amjad Shoaib Tareen issued a notification stating that all vehicles were allowed to pass through Head Panjnad from Aug 14.

The highways department had closed the bridge for all kinds of traffic on Aug 6, 2018 to repair its damaged parts. Now, the highways executive engineer has recommended de-notification of the closure order stating that the bridge was fit for all sorts of traffic.

The Head Panjnad bridge has had a chequered history. In 2016 and 2017, it was repaired by contractors but when the National Engineering Services Pakistan and other agencies checked it, they wrote letters to the high-ups that the bridge had been damaged despite being repaired by contractor firms, which could prove to be a threat. The department closed it later, but did not initiate an inquiry against the officials and contractors responsible.

Meanwhile, it served as the main route to Karachi and the business of a good number of petrol pumps, hotels and roadside hotels had been affected. All sorts of vehicles were stopped before the bridge and commuters made to walk across it and travel on passenger buses. Oil tankers and trucks travelling on the Multan route were used to go to Sindh and Rahim Yar Khan.

Locals appealed to the prime minister and the National Accountability Bureau Multan to initiate an inquiry against the negligent officials and contractors.

FLAG HOISTING: A 1,600-foot-long national flag was carried through various roads in Kot Addu tehsil by locals and ruling party workers.

A large number of people had gathered to see the flag that was prepared by the municipal committee and MPA Ashraf Khan Rind.

At the deputy commissioner’s office, a flag-hoisting ceremony was held that was attended by local parliamentarians and traders bodies. Later, a prayer was held for the nation.

The PTI, PPP and PML-N as well as students took our separate processions across the city.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2020