Kurram and CPEC future co-linked: Sajid Hussain Turi

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi has said that the future of the Kurram district and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was co-linked.

In a meeting with Federal Minister of Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood at his office, Turi discussed in detail the importance of connecting Kurram district with the motorway and CPEC.

Sajid Hussain Turi told the Federal Minister of Communications that Kurram’s Kharlachi and Borki border was the easiest, shortest and safest trade route to reach the countries of Central Asia including Afghanistan.

He emphasized that in CPEC’s Western Alignment Route project, a route from Isa Khel to Karam and Banda Dawood Shah to Tall to Ghulam Khan and Kharlachi or a route from Isa Khel to Mir Ali to Ghulam Khan to Kharlachi may be included.

Federal Minister Maulana Asad Mehmood assured that his ministry will take into account the rights of the people of Kurram and will include the proposed plan in the project.

Meanwhile, Turi wrote to Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to declare the flood stricken district Kurram in ‘calamity-hit’ and compensate the people for their losses. He said that due to the recent heavy rains and floods, Kurram district should be included in the special aid package for flood-affected areas so the losses of affectees could be addressed.

He mentioned that the floods caused by the heavy monsoon rains caused loss of life and property in various villages of the district adding floods have damaged standing crops, roads, bridges, houses and other infrastructure.

In his letter to PM, Sajid Turi maintained that the recent flood had

also affected his constituency NA-46 specially village Shalozan, Kara Khaila, Kachkina and other villages and the only bridge which link Shalozan with rest of the areas is also damaged.

He added that beside this village Pewar, Malana, Teri Mangal, Bugdai, Burki, Lalmai, Kharakhala, Shingak and Nistikot have also suffered great loss. The flood also damaged major areas in lower and central Kurram, he wrote.

“In the above-mentioned villages of my constituency i.e NA-46 most of the seasonal corps and fruits are damaged, clay houses are destroyed, livestock are flushed away by floods as recent rains were unprecedented and so it’s devastating effects”, his letter reads. Federal Minister Sajid Hussain Turi demanded that “in the light of above foregoing, I strongly recommend and shall be grateful if you may graciously consider my request for special relief package and direct concerned authorities to take necessary steps for grant of Financial Assistance for affected areas/villages of District Kurram/NA-46 on priority.”