A drivers union and local residents held a protest rally in Garam Chashma, Lower Chitral, against delays in the construction and blacktopping of the Garam Chashma Road, demanding that work on the project be resumed immediately.
The protest was organised by the Anjuman Drivers Union Garam Chashma along with local residents. The demonstrators called on the National Highway Authority (NHA) to restart construction and asphalt-laying work on the road without further delay.
Addressing the rally, VC Mogh Chairman Sajjad Ahmad Partavi said the prolonged delay in the project had increased concerns among residents and urged the NHA to complete the road at the earliest.
Subedar Amirullah said the poor condition of the road was causing difficulties for residents and motorists, while vehicles were also being damaged and accidents reported due to its deteriorated condition.
Maulana Rehmat Hussain of Garam Chashma Jamia Mosque said local residents were united over the road issue and warned that the protest would be expanded through democratic means if construction work was not resumed.
Drivers Union President Mehtabuddin announced the union’s future course of action, saying the progress of work would be monitored from Sept 25 to 30. If construction did not resume, the union would observe a wheel-jam strike from Oct 1 to 5.
He further warned that if work remained suspended, the protest would be extended to a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike from Oct 5 to 10. If the demands were still not addressed, the protesters would march towards Chitral city and stage a hunger strike at Ataliq Bridge, he said.
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