President Musharraf also wrote off agriculture loans of Rs. 160 million for 6000 people in the area. :k:
Musharraf inaugurates Asia’s Largest Lowari Tunnel
President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday inaugurated the construction of the Asia’s largest Lowari Tunnel connecting Chitral with district Dir. **The Lowari Tunnel, 8.8-kilometres long, 7.1-metres high and 7.5-metres wide to be completed in three years at the cost of Rs8 billion would be the largest in Asia, according to media reports. Lowari Tunnel would be located at 9.3-kilometres away from the district Dir, while at a distance of 9.2-kilometres form the Chitral side. **The contract for the construction of this project has been awarded to the Korean company Sambu. Lowari is one of the four mountains on way to Chitral entrance. Lowari Tunnel project was prepared in 1955 and the work on this project had commenced in 1975 during ex-prime minister, Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto’s tenure, but for some unavoidable reasons, it was stopped. In view of the geo-strategic location of this area, President Pervez Musharraf ordered for starting the work on this project. On completion of this project, Chitral’s handicap of remaining cut off from other areas of the country for long five months during winter season would be removed by keeping communications restored in all seasons through this tunnel.
Public Meeting
And while addressing a public gathering in Chitral, President General Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday that he had nothing to do with the politics but wanted to serve the people of country. “I want to provide all necessary facilities to the people of country,” he said while addressing a crowded public gathering at Scouts Stadium. The President announced various development schemes for the Chitral district and adjoining areas and promised that people of the Northern Areas would get more than their due share. “Northern Areas remained under-privileged and neglected in the past because past leadership had no regard for the poor, nor they had money as they plundered the national exchequer,” he said. And speaking at a large gathering at the Chitral Polo Ground. President Musharraf announced sanction of Rs.50 million to up-grade the Gilgit-Chitral road and another Rs.20 million for the construction of a bridge on Mastooj River. Funds would be provided for hydropower project on River Chitral, the President said, adding that the government was launching two mobile utility stores to provide foodstuff and other items to people at cheaper rates.
Amid thunderous applause, President Musharraf said that the government has also written off agriculture loans of Rs. 160 million which will benefit some 6000 people of the area. The President also announced a plan to link Northern Areas with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) through Chitral and China.
A feasibility study for the mega project would soon be undertaken, he added.
President Musharraf asked people to stand united against the twin menaces of terrorism and extremism and project the true image of Islam. “You must stand up to people who are trying to sow seeds of discord,” the President said and asked people to understand the real meaning of Islam that calls for brotherhood, love, compassion and tolerance. President Musharraf said he had the deepest desire to help the poor and was committed to bring about positive change in their lives. The government, he added, was committed to providing basic health and education facilities, besides road network, electricity, gas and clean drinking water in every part of the country. President Musharraf noted with satisfaction giant strides made to improve the economy that has made possible for the government to earmark huge resources for the development projects across the country. In this respect, he referred to the record allocation of Rs.415 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the new financial year that will generate numerous job opportunities and bring about qualitative change in the life of the common man. President Musharraf later performed the groundbreaking of the much-needed Lowari Tunnel.
If you go around Pakistan, you will see plaques commerating every PM, President, Minister, General, etc, opening this or that building, bridge, highway, etc
I like the unavoidable reasons bit, Zia didn't want a single project of Bhuttos to go ahead. Anyway I hope it's completed for Chitrals sake but considering the number of times it's not been followed up..a bit of cynicism is unexpected.
Musgaraf seems to have started a number of projects that others thought wouldnt get started.. So why should this be any different?
Lets just keep our fingers crossed.
Benazir Bhutto was in power twice yet she never launched the construction of the Lowari tunnel, and neither did Nawaz Sharif also in power on two occassions.
While all major projects that Musharraf has initiated from Karachi to Karakoram and Gwadur to Gilgit have either been completed in the last 6 years, or well on their way to being finished.
lowari tunnel is an example. the project was stopped as soon as Zia came to power..this was not specific to Zia, but it is well known that ZAB targetted underdeveloped areas like FATA and Chitral for development.
As I stated Benazir Bhutto was in power twice yet she never launched the construction of the Lowari tunnel, and neither did Nawaz Sharif also in power on two occassions. They stuck to "projects" in their immediate area only.
It is a credit to Musharraf that has he launched mega development projects all over Pakistan - from Karachi to Karakoram and Gwadur to Gilgit. All not just inaugurated with a plaque, but either been completed, or well on their way to being finished.
^^ As long its completed, I am very pleased to see this. not much iterested in inauguratation of ground breaking though. its looks good when its completed instead of planting names here and there and then dont complete it and very same plaque make joke of the looters!
It is a credit to Musharraf that has he launched mega development projects all over Pakistan - from Karachi to Karakoram and Gwadur to Gilgit. All not just inaugurated with a plaque, but either been completed, or well on their way to being finished.
And how long has Musharraf been in power compared to each Sharif and BB term?
Too true. We have made much more developmental and infrastructural progress in the last 6 years under Musharraf than 11 years of BB and NS, and Pakistani people can see the ground realities. Next for the NWFP is the M1 motorway which is about 6 months away from total completion. In fact most of it upto Charsadda is to open next month.
ISLAMABAD-CHARSADDA MOTORWAY TO OPEN IN AUGUST
Except for Peshawar-Charsadda section, Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) will be opened for all kinds of traffic from Islamabad to Charsadda in August this year. National Highway Authority (NHA) Altaf Ahmed Chaudhry said on June 25 that Islamabad-Burhan section and Rashakai-Charsadda sections have already been opened for traffic. He said two more sections, the Burhan-Swabi and the adjacent Swabi-Rashkai sections will also be opened for traffic in early August. Altaf Chaudhry said the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) was one of the most important projects of NHA and its quality construction was its top priority. He said the project would be completed according to schedule in January 2007 when the last section Peshawar-Charsadda will also be opened for traffic. He said that one side of Indus Bridge has already been opened for traffic while the work on the other side is in full swing and it will be opened for traffic in July.
About Kabul Bridge, he said it would be completed by December this year.
To a question, Altaf Chaudhry said that 18 flyovers, two service areas, five rest areas and 556 culverts are also included in the project. He said that interchanges would be constructed at Burhan, Swabi, Rashakai, Charsadda, Fatehjang, Jhang Bahtar and Chhach. He said that the 152-km Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) would be a six-lane motorway similar to the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2), and would help promote inter-provincial harmony.
The reason zia stopped the project was because he was sure of making Afghanistan as fifth province of Pakiland. That way there would be no need of the tunnel becuase chitral would be connected through Kunar with the rest of the country.
And thats why he also bombed balochistan further back into the stone age...ZAB could find time from hording up people's money and ordering assassinations of his political enemies and if he found time from this he sold off public assets to pocket the money in his swiss bank accounts...
It is a credit to Musharraf that has he launched mega development projects all over Pakistan - from Karachi to Karakoram and Gwadur to Gilgit. All not just inaugurated with a plaque, but either been completed, or well on their way to being finished.
To be fair to Nawaz Sharif, he did build Karachi's Jinnah Airport...
He did. Also it was during his premiership that the Motorway from Islamabad to Lahore - that was started by President General Zia ul Haq in 1988 (but repeatedly halted by B Bhutto) was completed finally.