Lowari Tunnel to boost economy, says Qazi

Published in The News: PESHAWAR: Former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad has said that completion of Lowari Tunnel project will solve the problems of people of Chitral and improve the economy.   Addressing the residents of Chitral who had set up a protest camp outside the Peshawar Press Club on Monday, he said the Chitral valley remained cut off from rest of the country due to snowfall on the Lowari Top and the delay in completion of the Lowari Tunnel project. Former JI Member of National Assembly Abdul Akbar Chitrali led the protesters.   The JI leader criticised the government for halting work on the project due to which the Korean company also stopped its operations there. He asked the government to allocate Rs4.5 billion for completion of the project and assured the protestors of his support in their struggle.   Qazi Hussain said the government had reportedly shifted the funds approved for the project to other areas.He said the completion of the long-awaited tunnel would connect the people with the rest of the country and enhance the business activities and transportation of minerals and fruits produced in Chitral.