Lowari Tunnel

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The Lowari Tunnel is the longest tunnel of Pakistan and is 8.6 km (5.3 miles) long located in the NWFP province of Pakistan between Dir and Chitral District. It replaces the entitlement with Khojak Tunnel of being the longest tunnel of Pakistan.

The recently completed tunnel, which is cut through the Lowari Pass, was originally conceived in the 1970s. Work on the tunnel originally began in 1974. However, then-president Zia-ul-Haq stopped construction due to political reasons. In September 2005 work on the tunnel restarted. Construction vehicles transited the completed tunnel in January 2009, and it is expected to open to the public in early 2010 when work on access roads and a rail system, which is planned to convey vehicles through the tunnel, is completed. This mega-project is ranked 5th out of top 20 development projects currently underway.

A South Korean construction company, SAMBU, has been assigned the work on the tunnel. It is expected to be completed at a cost of Rs.8 billion ($133 million US). Currently the project is overseen by Mr. Salman Rashid, General Manager of National Highway Authority (NHA).

The tunnel will reportedly reduce the current 14-hour drive from Chitral to Peshawar by half. Moreover, people of Chitral have to travel from Afghanistan and then enter back in Pakistan during the winter season as Lowari top is closed for any traffic for most part of the year. Chitral remains virtually inaccessible in the winter, the tunnel will also facilitate all-weather transportation. Some Chitrali natives are concerned about the impact the potentially increased tourism will have on the region.

Shandur Top

Did you know?

The oldest royal polo square is the 16th century Gilgit Polo Field, Pakistan, while the highest polo ground in the world, Shandur, located in district Chitral, Pakistan at 4,307 meters (14,000 ft)

Shandur Pass is the highest mountain pass at 3,800 meters from sea level between Chitral and Gilgit towns in Gilgit-Biltistan, Pakistan. Shandur Top situated beside Shandur Pass hold the Highest Polo Ground in the world at 4,307 meters from sea level with flat surface, gradual grade & a host of annual "Gilgit Polo Festival". The festival also includes Folk music, dancing and a camping village is set up.

Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. Polo is an equestrian sport with its origin embedded in Central Asia dating back to 6th century BC. At first it was a training game for cavalry units for the King's Guards or other Elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen who played polo with as many as 100 players to a side, it was a miniature battle. It became a Persian national game in the 6th century AD. From Persia, the game spread to Arabia, then to Tibet, China and Japan. In China, in the year 910, death of a favourite relative in a game prompted Emperor Apaochi to order beheading of all players.