MANSEHRA: The Lower Kohistan police have tightened security for foreigners working on the Dasu and Diamer-Basha hydropower projects or travelling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan via Karakoram Highway.
“We have zero tolerance for any negligence in ensuring foolproof security to foreigners engaged in energy projects or those passing through the Karakoram Highway,” said district police officer Abdul Salam Khalid during a meeting held at his office in Dasu on Saturday.
The meeting, held to review security arrangements for foreigners, was attended by the deputy superintendents of police headquarters and Pattan circle, the head of the international desk and SHOs of all police stations in the district.
“All entry and exit points leading to the Dasu and Diamer-Basha project sites from our district will remain completely sealed. No outsider, except authorised workers and staff, will be allowed access to the working areas,” Mr Khalid said.
He added that since the suspension of traffic between KP and GB through the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road following heavy snowfall in Kaghan Valley, most foreigners were now travelling via the Karakoram Highway and must be provided complete protection.
“The police will escort all foreigners entering Lower Kohistan and hand them over safely to the police of the next district, reroute to neighbouring GB and vice versa,” he said.
Mr Khalid emphasised that foreigners working on development and energy projects or passing through the area were “guests of Pakistan” and should be extended both hospitality and complete security.
“The Chinese engineers and workers engaged in the Dasu and Diamer-Basha hydropower projects are contributing to Pakistan’s development and prosperity by helping bridge the electricity shortfall,” he added.
He also directed the personnel deployed at police posts to be professional and highly polite whenever dealing with foreigners on their soil.
AWARENESS ABOUT MEASLES-RUBELLA: Deputy Commissioner Mian Behzad Adil on Saturday sought the support of ulema, teachers and media representatives to help raise awareness and prevent the spread of measles-rubella, saying the viral disease has once again turned lethal in the district.
“We are set to launch an anti-measles-rubella vaccination drive as fresh cases of this deadly disease have been reported not only in Mansehra but across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All segments of society, particularly religious scholars, teachers, and the media, should play their proactive role in preventing its spread,” Mr Adil said while addressing a workshop held at his office.
The event was attended by ulema, media persons and officials of the health and district administration departments.
District health officer Dr Shah Faisal Zaman coordinator of the measles and rubella campaign for Abbottabad and Mansehra districts Dr Mohammad Siddique, World Health Organisation surveillance officer Dr Asim and others also spoke on the occasion.
Mr Adil said that preparations had been finalised for the vaccination campaign, which would be launched across 192 village and neighbourhood councils of the district from November 17 to 19.
Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025