PM Nawaz inaugurates Pak-China Friendship Tunnels over Attabad Lake
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the Pakistan-China Friendship Tunnels, which have been constructed by China over the Attabad Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan's Hunza valley.
Nawaz said Gilgit-Baltistan is a vital link in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and would benefit most from this mega project which would particularly increase the tourist influx.
The seven kilometre long five tunnels are part of the 24km long portion of the Karakorum Highway (KKH) which was damaged in 2010 due to land sliding at Attabad.
Also read: Death toll of Hunza landslide rises to 13
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Two bridges and 78 small bridges have also been constructed on the rebuilt section of the highway, Radio Pakistan reported.
The tunnels have been constructed by the National Highway Authority (NHA) in collaboration with the China Road and Bridge Corporation to restore part of the road which had submerged under the Attabad Lake.
The project has been completed in a span of three years and two months.
Know more: Three phases of Hunza disaster
NHA officials briefed the prime minister on the details of the project and status of upgradation of other parts of KKH.
Nawaz urged the Gilgit Baltistan government to maintain high level of transparency and integrity in the expenditure of public money. The premier also stressed to rectify the mistakes of the past and make corrections where necessary.
The GB chief minister informed the prime minister that this summer more than 600,000 tourists visited Gilgit-Baltistan which shows upward economic activity in the region.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Governor GB Barjees Tahir, Chief Minister GB Hafeezur Rehman and China's Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, the premier was received at Gilgit Airport by chief minister GB. The chief minister briefed the prime minister about progress of other developmental projects in the area and performance of GB government.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (121) Closed
Sep 14, 2015 01:29pm
Simple question. Is the tunnel build on over the lake or under it?
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Sep 14, 2015 01:31pm
GB embrace yourself for progress, prosperity and plethora of tourists!
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Sep 14, 2015 01:32pm
Excellent news. Keep up the good work. 1st milestone for CPEC achieved.
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Sep 14, 2015 01:33pm
Thank you China!
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Sep 14, 2015 01:38pm
Nice Development!!!! We need many more projects in every field of life with collaboration of Iron brother.
long live pak- china friendship!!!
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Sep 14, 2015 01:38pm
Good.
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Sep 14, 2015 01:39pm
Gift from the Pakistanis to people of GB.
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Sep 14, 2015 01:41pm
At last its open now. Now we don't have load cars on boats to cross lake!!
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Sep 14, 2015 01:43pm
Great , i love this area. Beautiful people and awesome views
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Sep 14, 2015 01:45pm
Nice going Nawaz. Stick to performance you have what it takes to make Pakistan a greater nation and is now being admired as well internationally. Voters have switched to PML N and many parties are now combining to compete with you. PTI has lost its ground and now making alliances with smaller parties and its situation will get worse as time goes on. PTI's mandate has been stolen by PML N yes through performance. Not even a single day we see that ther is no news about new development by PML N for betterment of Pakistan. On the other hand not even a single day we see PTI performing but only criticizing PML N. Always note these critics are good because they will raise you even higher.
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Sep 14, 2015 01:48pm
Wat about Chitral Tunnal ?
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Sep 14, 2015 01:51pm
"... constructed by China" .. What part are WE playing?
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Sep 14, 2015 02:01pm
Great News. Long Live Pak China friendship!
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Sep 14, 2015 02:08pm
@Z Khan It has been built along the lake at higher altitude than lake water through the mountains.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:10pm
Well Done Nawaz Sharif.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:11pm
All the best for the future projects...
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Sep 14, 2015 02:14pm
@Z Khan Neither, it is through a mountain, bypassing the lake.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:15pm
@Z Khan Its not over or under its constructed in side way mountains.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:16pm
Just wondering, the road is only two lanes, and the tunnel look quite small for heavy traffic, would this be used for CPEC or they got different route for the trade traffic which will involve heavy trucks.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:17pm
Pakistan has paid for this Friendship. Its not a free-service.com. When you pay for anything between two country it does not mean its a friendship, Its a tactical deal.
Long Live Pakistan-China friendship.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:20pm
When will we be out of this road-metro-train projects nexus???priority areas are seems to be 'a lost Iceland.'
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Sep 14, 2015 02:21pm
Excellent news for Pak tourism
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Sep 14, 2015 02:30pm
Just wow !
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Sep 14, 2015 02:32pm
Thanks to great friend China. Gilgit is the heart of Pakistan and its development will lead us to prosperity.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:32pm
Really good news for the people of Gilgit. Thanks to China for the gift to Pakistan.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:35pm
Thank you china for funding this tunnel
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Sep 14, 2015 02:35pm
About 30 years late but still good milestone.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:38pm
@ z khan, tunnel is built through the mountains by making hole in them . a real master piece
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Sep 14, 2015 02:45pm
Strange, brother Shehbaz Sharif is not in the picture!
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Sep 14, 2015 02:46pm
@Z Khan - "Simple question" may be but answer can be complicated!
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Sep 14, 2015 02:48pm
somep people praising pM? lol, if they knew the ground realities. This bridge was almost complete before GB elections which PMLN won. the last government had completed it.
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Sep 14, 2015 02:53pm
@Z Khan around the lake.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:00pm
China at its best
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Sep 14, 2015 03:01pm
Any underpasses or overhead bridges?
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Sep 14, 2015 03:03pm
@Harmony-1 you are damn right brother.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:07pm
The strong willed determination of the current federal government is going to get us through these challenging times. The CPEC should be completed before saboteurs PTI or PPP come to power.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:10pm
Good move by Pakistan govt.when you provide good roads ,country will prosper .
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Sep 14, 2015 03:13pm
Long Live Pak-China Friendship..!!
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Sep 14, 2015 03:13pm
Beautiful work done by Both Great Countries!!!
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Sep 14, 2015 03:16pm
Great work Pakistan and China both! Long live the friendship.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:17pm
Long Live Pak-China Friendship.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:24pm
Gilgit Skardu Road is still in pending. more than 10k lives wipe out there while traveling on that dangerous Road.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:31pm
Just where his vote bank belongs he works their what about other basic issues of electricity water dams your gov failed to provide
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Sep 14, 2015 03:31pm
@Z Khan The tunnels have been constructed through the adjoining mountains to bypass/overlook the lake.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:32pm
@Erudite , don't create confusions by saying "a gift from Pakistani to the people of GB".
GB is Pakistan.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:34pm
PML N has certainly made Pakistan a proud nation. Terrorism elimination, Raheel appointment, financial development, roads and infrastructure, sober leadership, what else do we want? Crack down on PPP & MQM corrupt people with whom PTI is joining hands. PML N please speed up the work because we now know that your stubbornness and determined leadership will pull out the country from crises and it has pulled out Pakistan from deeper mess.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:37pm
Pak China friendship Zindabad
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Sep 14, 2015 03:47pm
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) Cant understand your Philosphy, we need development, business development to create Jobs. We don't like our Nation to be beggers.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:47pm
@Indian some times it's called win win situation.
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Sep 14, 2015 03:49pm
@dwarakanath Thats like a good brother. Appreciate your thinking
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Sep 14, 2015 04:04pm
Well done Mr PM. Keep the good work up. People are now beginning to see the real longer lasting progress/projects by PMLN gov.
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Sep 14, 2015 04:07pm
It's good that PM finally able to land here in GB and so inaugurated the Tunnel. Just for the info it's only constructed by CRBC. We again need the services of CRBC for the maintenance of KKH which is indeed a huge task.
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Sep 14, 2015 04:18pm
@Z Khan Its between Pak and China, not between Norway and Denmark. So they are over the lake ;-)
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Sep 14, 2015 04:23pm
@Pakistani You can't understand the philosophy of human development because of your blind following. Corruption is a root cause of all problems in Pakistan. If you think such projects will create jobs under the development doctrine than you are must be living in fool's paradise. These projects are started to get huge kick-backs and commission and nothing else...if you don't believe it than read the history of Pakistan without any prejudice then analyze and comment on Dawn.
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Sep 14, 2015 04:34pm
@Zeeshan There is no such thing as free lunch. Don't expect any favours from China especially when they are giving 1 they take 100. Good luck with it.
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Sep 14, 2015 04:34pm
@Z Khan beside the lake, two large tunnels and some small tunnels, on getting out of tunnel No.2 you can have amazing view of the Lake..
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Sep 14, 2015 04:36pm
@Muhammad muzamil
Brather, Project initated by Zardari 3 years back. Did you expect Nawaz Saab to stop the project
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Sep 14, 2015 04:43pm
This is good, but, we can write in English and Chinese, but not Urdu ? ??????
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Sep 14, 2015 04:44pm
@Muhammad muzamil This project was started before Nawaz Sharif came to power. Don't be so zealous to take credit for any thing which is being completed now.
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Sep 14, 2015 04:52pm
@Naseem only determined leader can complete the un-finished projects. Can you expect Zaradroi to start and then complete a project or can you expect same from Imran Khan? Yes Zaradri and Imran can start a project but they don't have the capability to complete the project or conclude a thing/project. Imran Khan could not work on simple thing of justice and fired justice Wajih and you expect him to work? Ability of PML N has certainly pulled Pakistan from dark shadows and now world is seeing Pakistan as one of the most growing economies of the world and estimate that if same pace continues it will be the next powerful country.
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Sep 14, 2015 05:09pm
Weldon Nawaz sheereef. keep it up. let pti and ppp creating fus, do not listen and reply them with your work.
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Sep 14, 2015 05:11pm
@Muhammad muzamil Muzamil Sahib, what is happening on Nandipur Power Project this was started by PPP, why has the determined leader not finished the project as yet!!
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Sep 14, 2015 05:13pm
How much exact contribution is from our country Pakistan in this construction
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Sep 14, 2015 05:22pm
Tunnel has been built but the land owners are yet to be compensated since year 2007. PM was expected to take notice of that unfortunately he did not bother.
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Sep 14, 2015 05:36pm
@Z Khan Over the lake
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Sep 14, 2015 05:36pm
Thank you for China - Pakistan friendship Imran Khan.
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Sep 14, 2015 05:39pm
Good road communication will bring prospirity
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Sep 14, 2015 05:42pm
Long live Pakistan-China friendship
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Sep 14, 2015 05:42pm
@anees from zaida .... China is focused on putting their people to work. The leadership remains socialist. What Pakistan gains and what China gains is a trade off. The tunnel was not constructed with Pakistani money. We do not get something for nothing in life.
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Sep 14, 2015 05:44pm
It's a great mutual economic cooperation that is of enormous importance and badly need development for Pakistan and a great financial return for the Chines investors!
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Sep 14, 2015 05:55pm
There is no friendship in business. Pakistan needs to wake up. China will want interest on their investments.
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Sep 14, 2015 05:58pm
Why no Urdu writing?
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Sep 14, 2015 06:04pm
@SDA ... If you want a friend be a friend.
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Sep 14, 2015 06:05pm
Is it such a big deal, to open small tunnel link, PM of armed nuclear country spend time, drag Chinese ambassador along, how low , one can go, it is not even CM level . But in this Republic: Deaf sings, blind plays.
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Sep 14, 2015 06:19pm
@Nusrat Hussain .... Nawaz Sharif is paying his country back. What is AA Zardari up to? What connections does Imran Khan have in Beijing? They don't play cricket there.
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Sep 14, 2015 06:26pm
congrats pakistan from india!
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Sep 14, 2015 06:27pm
congrats pakistan from india!
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Sep 14, 2015 06:27pm
@Muhammad muzamil This project did not evolved under PML-N.
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Sep 14, 2015 06:28pm
@pavan .... Chinese leadership has one top goal. To putting their people to work.
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Sep 14, 2015 06:30pm
@safdar khan .... In other words Zardari did not pay them.
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Sep 14, 2015 07:10pm
@Muhammad muzamil Before posting please correct the facts, there is zero percent involvement from Pak or PMLN, the whole KKH extension was started by Pervez Musharaf and its fully built by China.
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Sep 14, 2015 07:13pm
Cant Pakistan create anything on it's own?
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Sep 14, 2015 07:15pm
@Nusrat Hussain Only if you knew neither the project was initiated nor completed by PMLN. It was started by Pervez Musharaf and fully constructed by China, there is zero % involvement from PMLN or Pak govt.
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Sep 14, 2015 07:22pm
We indians should congratulate pakistan..whether it is a free lunch or not, it is up to pakistan.we should not interfere..
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Sep 14, 2015 07:26pm
Nawaz is lucky this time for taking credit of KKH extension project started by Pervez Musharaf and fully constructed by China, there is zero % involvement from PMLN or Pak Govt in it. If it wasnt in the interest of China Pakistan govt and FWO workers would still be trying to make small canal for water to pass with teeny tiny cranes, like what they did for two years wasting resources. Then came the Chinese who started it in 2012 and finished even before PMLN was elected in GB.
Thank you China for the beautiful gift to the people of GB and specially Hunza, we owe you big time, long live Pak-China friendship.
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Sep 14, 2015 07:34pm
All this pales to insignificance given the sharply increasing national debt, and the theft of such funds by the PPP and PMLN mufahematty parties! The nation is sinking deeper and deeper in debt, creating misery for generations to come. Little economic activity, low industrisation, lack of energy supply, low taxation, and even worse low tax collection is now the norm.
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Sep 14, 2015 07:42pm
@nirmal thank you Nirmal for a positive feedback.
Its a great milestone for both Pakistan and the Chinese govt. China is a Decent and Loyal Friend to Pakistan and we as Pakistanis welcome China in the future to collaborate on such ginormous projects again, whether it be Karakorum Highway or Atta Abad tunnel. Long Live PAK-CHINA FRIENDSHIP
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Sep 14, 2015 08:00pm
Congrats from an Indian.
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Sep 14, 2015 08:08pm
Very nice work!
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Sep 14, 2015 08:20pm
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) According to your philosophy no projects for development of road and railway network should be undertaken in the country for fear of corruption or kick-backs. Why not make the management of the projects more transparent and free of corruption instead? Infrastructure development is as important as other public welfare works. Big civil engineering construction projects are the best for kick-starting stalled economies as they provide employment to a large number of unskilled people. Along each new highway thousands of new businesses come up and provide permanent employment to still more people.
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Sep 14, 2015 08:27pm
Mr PM nation wants first operation by ranger and FIA against mega corruption like Nandi Pur/NLG Model town LHR etc in Punjab prior to your next inauguration practice.
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Sep 14, 2015 08:44pm
Thank God it's built.....going through boats was quite a messy thing, but attabad lake is so beautiful, we can still view it i guess from the same road.
p.s.,This new road looks amazing...pak-china border should be one of the most beautiful one in the world, just like Islamabad.
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Sep 14, 2015 08:44pm
@Z Khan over the lake called bridge. under the lake called tunnel. SHOULD BE
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Sep 14, 2015 08:54pm
There is no doubt in Long Live Pakistan China Friendship....The important part is that Pakistan common man should learn a lesson from the Chinese success...and do the same...only by saying Long Live This friendship is not enough ...our common man should get up on its feet and copy the success on China and our leaders should copy
Mao...to how he motivated the Chinese people to become world leaders.
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Sep 14, 2015 08:57pm
@Anwar Amjad dear I m quite sure you either don't live in Pakistan or don't know our politicians. You missed my earlier comment in which I've mentioned that priority areas are most important before investing a huge sum of tax payers money (only 5% pay direct taxes). Should I mention the failed projects or useless projects of existing govt like Sasti roti, Danish school, nandipur power, laptop, yellow cab scheme(in previous tenure)...and the list goes on and on. If you still believe that this govt is serious to deliver than you must be building castle in the air. May God guide us all.
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Sep 14, 2015 09:05pm
Sad to see we do not have tunnel building knowledge.
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Sep 14, 2015 09:36pm
@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)
in japan corruption is more common . read the history. the only differance is thqt they have more powerful and effective surviellence.
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Sep 14, 2015 10:16pm
Congrats to Pakistan but I must point out that Chinese have used their language while Pakistan has used English. It should have been Urdu. I see this in India also. English takes precedence over Hindi or other regional languages. 200 years of slavery still plagues our minds.
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Sep 14, 2015 10:18pm
@Philosopher (from Japan) Leave aside your philosophy and just answer yes or no. Was the rebuilding of the damaged portion of the Karakorum Highway necessary or not? What is your objection to it? This portion was submerged by the Attabad Lake and people had to use boats to cross it.
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Sep 14, 2015 11:40pm
@Z Khan Over the lake.
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Sep 15, 2015 12:00am
@Z Khan Tunnel means its built underground / hill or underwater. In this case, its close to the lake through a hill.
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Sep 15, 2015 12:09am
And still they say "Go Nawaz Go" and stop public welfare works because they would inflate your drifting-down vote bank. Work must go on, whoever holds the hems. In democracy, needs and interests of masses must only matter in every government endeavor.
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Sep 15, 2015 12:15am
This is the Prime Minister who inaugurated Nandi Poor project and announced 3 months bonus and medals. We now know the facts about Nandi Poor. So, please take away the bonuses and medals from the recipients.
Coming to this tunnel. Well congratulations first. How come Nawaz Sharif has so much time to go there and inaugurate the tunnel. He should be paying attention to more important issues.
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Sep 15, 2015 01:20am
@Indian Off course both countries will be benefiting from this and it will strength our relations further and will bring us closer than ever.
Long live Pak China friendship.
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Sep 15, 2015 01:32am
@Harmony-1 Are u missing Shehbaz Shareef?. He was busy in the implementational meetings for Technoligy University and Clean Water projects in Southern Punjab.
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Sep 15, 2015 03:47am
Thank you for this good news. We need news about development in Pak, not the traditional blame game.
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Sep 15, 2015 03:57am
It's sad Pakistan and India are enemies we share so much history and culture even our blood we are brothers. Look how we turned out to be.
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Sep 15, 2015 06:37am
@Deepak resolve Kashmir
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Sep 15, 2015 08:13am
It is very good project for continuation of transportation of trade goods on Karakarm High Way leading to China and to be linked with Pak-China economic corridor . Our engineers should be appreciated to complete such a difficult road ,bridges and tunnel.
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Sep 15, 2015 08:39am
Thanx China!-with you spearheading our infrastructure, Pakistani's can expect progress
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Sep 15, 2015 10:38am
@Muhammad muzamil haha, it took 3 years and 2 months. Nawaz Sharif came in on june 5 2013.
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Sep 15, 2015 11:50am
@Cyrus Corrupt Officials of National Highway Authority are responsible for that and it is under the control of Federal Government. PM should have listen't to the grievances of the affectees but unfortunately no one was allowed during his visit to approach him.
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Sep 15, 2015 11:50am
@Z Khan It's a tunnel not a bridge buddy.
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Sep 15, 2015 12:18pm
We should admire our government for this landmark achievement. We are now on the right course and is certainly leading towards progress and prosperity. The thing should be in our minds is that just relying on China is not a good sign, instead we should behave as a sovereign nation and our deal must not compromise our liberty.
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Sep 15, 2015 12:44pm
Location of Attabad tunnels please
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Sep 15, 2015 02:57pm
@Erudite Dear it is not a gift from Pakistan. It has been built by China in Gilgit-Baltistan for her economic activities. GB's is usually deprived from its original shares from the annual budget despite GB's huge addition in country's economy
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Sep 15, 2015 07:13pm
@Saba maz we are playing " Pak- cheen Dosti zindabaad"
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Sep 16, 2015 01:31am
Nawaz never misses an opportunity for photo up.The question is can his ego and he himself go through the tunnel at the same time .
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Sep 16, 2015 03:09am
@Muhammad muzamil .. Stop false marketing. The project started over 3 years ago when Nawaz was not even in office. Just stop the lies and giving false credits.
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Sep 16, 2015 09:39am
Now that the highway is alive what about the trading traffic? Any stats on that or this is another project with limited economic value?
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Sep 16, 2015 08:36pm
Nice to know Pakistan is improving
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