LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: After remaining closed for five consecutive days due to heavy rainfall and landslides, the Wana-Gomal Zam Road in Lower South Waziristan was reopened for traffic on Saturday.

According to the executive engineer C&W, Ikram Ullah Wazir, the clearance operation to remove debris and stabilise sliding points is still in progress. The Xen has advised motorists to drive cautiously, maintain lane discipline, and avoid unnecessary travel. With the reopening of the road , traffic flow on both sides of the road has been restored.

The closure occurred following torrential rains earlier in the week, which triggered multiple landslides at different points along the route.

Massive boulders, gravel, and sand piles blocked the road, leaving commuters stranded and forcing locals to use alternate, rugged mountain tracks to reach their villages and markets. Several vehicles were trapped along the way, adding to the hardships of residents and travelers.

Ikram Ullah Wazir told Dawn that the district administration and the C&W department had been engaged in continuous clearance operations with heavy machinery, including excavators and dumpers.

Initially, priority was given to clearing the most dangerous sliding points and enabling one-way traffic. Gradually, full traffic movement on both sides was restored.

The officials further urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel and immediately report any new landslides or post-rainfall hazards to the relevant authorities.

The prolonged road closure severely affected the supply of fuel, food, and medicines. Students, patients, and the business community suffered the most.

Local transporters complained that alternative routes were unpaved and treacherous, which not only increased travel time but also doubled transportation costs.

Meanwhile, the local Wazir tribesmen have strongly urged the prime minister and the army chief to reconstruct the Wana–Gomal Zam Road on a permanent basis.

The tribesmen demanded that the vital road be included in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and be handed over to the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure long-term maintenance and durability.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025