History of Lawari Tunnel:

The 8.75 KM Lowari Tunnel was originally conceived in 1956 by the Government of Pakistan and work on the tunnel began on 8 September 1975 but was stopped in 1976 due to lack of funds.Work on Lawari Tunnel did not re-start until September 2005.

On completion The Lawari Tunnel will reduce the current 14-hour drive from Chitral to Peshawar by nearly 40%. People of Chitral have to travel from Afghanistan and then enter back in Pakistan during the winter season while Lowari top is closed for traffic due to snowfall in winter season. During this period Chitral remains virtually inaccessible, the tunnel will also facilitate all-weather transportation.

A South Korean construction company, SAMBU JV, has been assigned the remaining work on the tunnel. It is expected to be completed at a cost of more then Rs.8 billion ($133 million US) in 2015. Construction vehicles transited the completed tunnel in January 2009.The tunnel remains open temporarily for three days in a weak during the winter seasons when the Lowari Pass is closed due to heavy snowfall closed.

Chitral during the winter season.

Its winter time in Chitral the weather in Chitral is very harsh so avoid visiting in Chitral in winter. Before the opening of Lawari Tunnel Chitral was cut off from the rest of the country only areal route was available for traveling and that too was very expensive. During closure of the Lawari Pass Chitral was out of food supply and people of Chitral had to face great hardships specially in case of medical emergency there was no option for the people to travel to other cities. But opening of Lawari Tunnel has helped the people of Chitral to some extent though it is not open all the time. So if you are planning to visit Chitral in winter you may think again.