KOHAT:Pak-Japan Friendship tunnel and the hilly track between Kohat and Darra Adamkhel were opened to traffic on Saturday evening, after five-day closure aimed at preventing the public meeting of the Pushtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in Khyber district.

The closure of 1.98-kilometer tunnel and 22-kilometer-long spiraling mountainous road was ordered on October 8, 2024, causing severe hardships to thousands of commuters, and incurring colossal losses for transporters and businessmen.

The commuters and travelers were forced to use alternative longest route of Nizampur-Nowshera for their indispensable travel.

On Saturday noon, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Akram Chitrali told Dawn that it was only a rumor that tunnel and hilly track roads would be opened on October 14, 2024.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED: As many as 80 students, both male and female, received Rs two million cash under the Rehmatul Lil Alameen Scholarship programme for achieving A-I and A grades in the board examination.

The deputy commissioner (DC), who was the chief guest on the occasion, awarded students Rs 25,000 each. He said that the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was a beacon light not only for Muslims but for the entire humanity.

The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the District Development Advisory Committee MPA Shafiullah Jan, additional deputy commissioner, religious personalities, heads of the line departments, and students.

SPORTS GALA: A five-day colorful sports gala was inaugurated at the government degree college of Dara Adamkhel.

The sports event kicked off with cricket, football, and badminton matches. Volleyball, basketball, athletics, tug-of-war and traditional games including shooting, chindro, goli dhanda, also featured in the event.

The KP law minister, commissioner of Kohat division, deputy commissioner and others were part of the organising committee.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024