Residents stop work on dualisation of Indus Highway

KARAK: The residents of Tarkhakoi and adjacent localities on Sunday forcibly stopped work on the dualisation of Indus Highway and demanded the construction of underpasses or overhead bridges at crowded bus stops. Hundreds of protesters held a demonstration in favour of their demand and later marched to Indus Highway, led by former village nazim Saiful Islam.

The protesters argued that with the dualisation of the Indus Highway, local people would face hardships in crossing the highway, and there was a need for construction of underpasses or overhead bridges on the route.

They also set a two-day deadline for the acceptance of their demand, otherwise they would stop work on the highway project in the entire Karak tehsil. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Karak district head on Sunday demanded the police to provide him security after unidentified gunmen fired shots at his house.

While lodging a first information report of the incident at Karak Police Station, Asmatullah Gandapur said that he had been busy in disconnecting illegal gas connections for quite some time in the district, which might have created some unfavourable situation for him.

He claimed that fortunately no loss of life, nor any property damage occurred in the firing. However, he said there was threat to him and his family and asked the police to provide him security. He also demanded the investigations into the incident as early as possible.