Lowari Tunnel closure challenged in PHC
PESHAWAR, Dec 27: A petition was on Thursday filed with Peshawar High Court against the opening of the under-construction Lowari Tunnel only for three days a week.
When the Lowari Pass road closes in winter due to snowfall, it is only the under-construction tunnel through which the people of Chitral commute with other parts of the country. After suspending work on the project, the PPP government re-started the work when the only land route to Chitral was closed.
Despite repeated requests and protests by the people of Chitral, the government has stuck to its decision of opening the tunnel for a few hours three days a week. Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akber Chitrali through Muhibullah Terichvi in his petition prayed the court to declare the closure of the tunnel during four days a week illegal.
The government of Pakistan through secretary finance division, the federal minister and federal secretary communication, director National Highway Authority and the Korean Sambu company were made respondents in the petition.