PM Nawaz inaugurated Pak-China Friendship Tunnels

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the Pakistan-China Friendship Tunnels, which have been constructed by China over the Attabad Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan's Hunza valley.

The seven kilometre long five tunnels are part of the 24km long portion of the Karakorum Highway (KKH) which was damaged in 2010 due to land sliding at Attabad.

 Two bridges and 78 small bridges have also been constructed on the rebuilt section of the highway, Radio Pakistan reported. The tunnels have been constructed by the National Highway Authority (NHA) in collaboration with the China Road and Bridge Corporation to restore part of the road which had submerged under the Attabad Lake.

 The project has been completed in a span of three years and two months.

 NHA officials briefed the prime minister on the details of the project and status of upgradation of other parts of KKH. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Governor GB Barjees Tahir, Chief Minister GB Hafeezur Rehman and China's Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong were also present on the occasion.