LOWER DIR: The traders of KatkalaTalash on Sunday closed their shops and held a protest rally against the slow pace of reconstruction work on Chakdara-Timergara road.

They also chanted slogans against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and authorities of National Highways Authority.

Speaking on the occasion, the traders’ representatives Haji Fazal Ghafoor, Suleman Mohammad, Mumtaz Khan and others complained that the NHA had dug the main road several months ago, but could not complete the reconstruction work.

They said the pace of work was very slow and commuters had been facing problems while travelling through this road. They also criticised the local lawmakers for their silence over the matter.

The protesters said that people living near the road had been suffering from throat and chest infections due to the blowing dust.

They demanded the Lower Dir deputy commissioner and other high-ups to take notice of the matter. They warned to block the road if work on the project was not resumed within a week.

Meanwhile, additional assistant commissioner, revenue, Tariq Khan along with NHA assistant director examined the road at Katkala Talash and told the residents that reconstruction of the road would be started soon.

UPLIFT WORK: CM’s special assistant MPA Shafiullah Khan termed Chief Minister Mahmood Khan’s recent visit to the district a success and said that several development projects were inaugurated on the occasion.

Talking to mediapersons at Saddo here on Sunday, he said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Lower Dir workers would leave for Islamabad on Nov 26 to participate in ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march.

The lawmaker said their caravan would be led by the chief minister from Karnal Sher Khan Interchange. He criticised the federal government for its flawed policies and alleged that it had taken the country’s economy to the verge of destruction.

Meanwhile, Nasrullah was elected president and Adnan general secretary of Sulimani Hairdressers Association, Timergara city, for the next three years. Other office-bearers include Khan Mohammad chairman and Dost Mohammad patron-in-chief.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2022