South Waziristan tribal elders decry hardship as Wana-Gomal Zam Road remains in ruins
LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Residents on Tuesday decried the deteriorated condition of the Wana-Gomal Zam Road — one of the most important trade and communication routes in the region — as it has reached the point of near collapse.
The road not only serves as a vital link between Wana and Gomal Zam but also connects Pakistan with Afghanistan through the Angoor Adda border crossing. However, years of neglect, damaged infrastructure and recurring weather-related destruction have made it increasingly difficult to navigate the route.
Back in February, the strategically significant route had already been in disrepair back in February. Now, nearly four months later, residents say the road has become virtually unusable.
Deep potholes, muddy stretches, broken surfaces and unpaved sections have made travel both difficult and dangerous. Several bridges and culverts along the route have also been damaged or rendered ineffective, further worsening the situation.
Speaking to Dawn on Tuesday, elders from the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe expressed frustration over what they described as the administration’s indifference towards the road’s worsening condition.
“The road is not only essential for the people of South Waziristan but also plays a crucial role in regional trade and economic activity,” a tribal elder said. “Its current condition is causing immense hardship to the local population and affecting business on both sides of the border.”
The elders recalled that substantial funds had previously been approved for the reconstruction of the road. However, they claimed that the project was later removed from the provincial development programme, resulting in the suspension of rehabilitation efforts and further deterioration of the route.
Meanwhile, the executive engineer of the Communication and Works Department, Ikram Wazir, acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the Wana-Gomal Zam Road had become largely unfit for travel due to extensive damage caused by heavy rains, flash floods and landslides.
He said that several sections of the road had suffered structural damage, while bridges and drainage infrastructure had been affected by recurring floods.
Wazir further revealed that a PC-I for the complete reconstruction and rehabilitation of the road had already been prepared and submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Communication and Works in Peshawar. According to him, the estimated cost of the project has reached approximately Rs25 billion.
He added that the commencement of reconstruction work would depend on the approval of the project and the release of the required funds by the relevant authorities.
Recent rainfall has compounded the problem, triggering landslides at various points along the road and obstructing traffic movement. Travellers have reportedly remained stranded for hours as vehicles struggled to pass through damaged sections or were forced to wait until debris was cleared.
According to local reports, the road has remained severely affected by seasonal rains over the past three years, with little progress made towards its rehabilitation. Besides disrupting transportation and commercial activities, the continued deterioration has created serious challenges for residents who rely on the route for business and access to essential services.
Drivers operating on the road describe the journey as increasingly hazardous. Many transporters have been forced to suspend operations or take lengthy alternative routes, resulting in higher transportation costs and delays in the movement of goods.
Traders say the situation has adversely affected local markets and cross-border commerce.
Considered a strategic economic corridor for Lower South Waziristan, thousands of vehicles — including heavy goods trucks, passenger coaches, motorcars, double cabins and commercial transporters — use the Wana-Gomal Zam Road every day.
Despite its significance for Pak-Afghan trade, local tribal elders say repeated appeals to the civil administration and the Communication and Works Department have yielded little response.
PPP South Waziristan district president Amanullah Wazir called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the issue and ensure the reconstruction of the road on an urgent basis.
He emphasised that the road’s restoration was essential not only for easing the difficulties faced by daily commuters but also for reviving trade and economic activities in the region.
Amanullah also urged the federal government to allocate special funds for the project, warning that continued delays would deepen the transportation crisis and further damage the local economy.
