CJP Nisar visits Chitral, takes notice of Lowari Tunnel's closure

PESHAWAR: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has taken notice of the closure of Lowari Tunnel in Chitral, ARY News reported.

The chief justice has summoned reports from chairman National Highway Authority (NHA), secretary communications and chief secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within five days.

CJP Nisar, who is currently on a four day visit to Chitral Valley, went to the District Headquaters Hospital and directed to overcome the shortage of medicines and staff within three months.

Later, the chief justice addressed the District Bar Association in Chitral calling on the need to revive the patriotic spirit which he said would solve all problems.

“We need to revive the spirit of Pakistaniat. Once we do so, it will solve all our problems. We need to remain steadfast and start from ourselves,” he said.

He said that nation faces a severe water crisis which can worsen if necessary steps are not taken.

He also announced to set a circuit bench and single bench in Peshawar. The chief minister was also urged to address the shortage of judges in Boti and Derwesh area of Chitral.

The notice on closure of Lowari Tunnel was taken on an application of local residents who complained that the tunnel is not open around the clock despite the completion of construction work.

The residents said that tunnel is usually closed and only opened for a few hours which not only causes a severe traffic jam but also creates trouble for locals.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had inaugurated the tunnel on July 20, 2017 and had allocated about Rs23 billion for the completion of the mega project.

Work on the Lowari Tunnel project resumed during the tenure of the then military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2005 but the project hit snags ever since owing to the lack of funds and other reasons.