Army to build road link to Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, April 14: Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani launched a road project on Thursday that would be a vital trade route between Pakistan's tribal region and Afghanistan, the military said. Gen Kayani visited North Waziristan to inaugurate the 80km project, being undertaken by the Pakistan Army. The road from the town of Bannu to Ghulam Khan on the Afghan border will cost Rs4 billion, the military said in a statement, adding it was aimed at social development of tribal areas. The project would be completed in 18 months, linking remote areas of North Waziristan to other parts of the country, it said. "The road will provide a central trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This will open multiple opportunities for the people of North Waziristan," it added. Addressing the tribal elders, Gen Kayani said he appreciated their "support and acknowledged their sacrifices in the war against terrorism." He reiterated the army's resolve to bring peace and stability to the affected areas and to protect the lives and property of the tribal community, against all internal as well as external threats. North Waziristan, considered a notorious Taliban and Al Qaeda bastion in Pakistan, has been the target of repeated US drone attacks. The attacks doubled in the area last year, with more than 100 drone strikes killing over 670 people in 2010 compared with 45 strikes that killed 420 in 2009.—AFP