Easy access: Mohmand Agency HQ gates reopen after five years
Gates had been closed after blasts in December 2010.
Gates had been closed after blasts in December 2010. PHOTO: FILE
GHALLANI:
The main entrance of Mohmand Agency headquarters in Ghallanai were reopened on Sunday after nearly five years. The HQ houses the political agent’s (PA) office, jail and other administrative offices.
Opening the gates might be a temporary move as the administration was left with little choice. However the decision will allow resident to access various departments and offices in the region. PA Waqar Ali Khan had ordered the reopening of the gate on Thursday after the gate near Mohmand Press Club in Ghallanai was damaged due to heavy rain earlier this week.
Closed down
The main entrance and a gate at the agency’s surgeon office had been closed for public use after twin blasts in Ghallanai on December 6, 2010 that killed over 40 people, including journalists and khasadar and levies officials.
The then political administration had closed the entrance by building walls in its place. The gate to the agency’s surgeon office was kept open for use by high-ranking officials only. The administration constructed another gate near Mohmand Press Club where security arrangments were tightened and levies personnel were deployed.
Positive step
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Taj Wali Khan – whose brother Pervez Khan died in the December 2010 blast – hailed the reopening of the gate a positive step. “Although the step brings back memories of the past, I am pleased to see that measures are being taken to restore peace in the agency.”
A wave of optimism
Residents are optimistic about the reopening of the gate as it has provided them with a sense of security. However, many of them have urged the administration to reopen the other gates so they can access other departments as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2015.
The main entrance of Mohmand Agency headquarters in Ghallanai were reopened on Sunday after nearly five years. The HQ houses the political agent’s (PA) office, jail and other administrative offices.
Opening the gates might be a temporary move as the administration was left with little choice. However the decision will allow resident to access various departments and offices in the region. PA Waqar Ali Khan had ordered the reopening of the gate on Thursday after the gate near Mohmand Press Club in Ghallanai was damaged due to heavy rain earlier this week.
Closed down
The main entrance and a gate at the agency’s surgeon office had been closed for public use after twin blasts in Ghallanai on December 6, 2010 that killed over 40 people, including journalists and khasadar and levies officials.
The then political administration had closed the entrance by building walls in its place. The gate to the agency’s surgeon office was kept open for use by high-ranking officials only. The administration constructed another gate near Mohmand Press Club where security arrangments were tightened and levies personnel were deployed.
Positive step
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Taj Wali Khan – whose brother Pervez Khan died in the December 2010 blast – hailed the reopening of the gate a positive step. “Although the step brings back memories of the past, I am pleased to see that measures are being taken to restore peace in the agency.”
A wave of optimism
Residents are optimistic about the reopening of the gate as it has provided them with a sense of security. However, many of them have urged the administration to reopen the other gates so they can access other departments as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2015.