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Wana-Gomal Zam Road in Ruins, Trade and Travel Severely Affected
The Wana-Gomal Zam Road, a crucial trade route in South Waziristan, is in a terrible state! Heavy rains, landslides, and neglect have made it nearly impassable, crippling trade and transport.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-05
Wana-Gomal Zam Road in Ruins, Trade and Travel Severely Affected

The Wana-Gomal Zam Road, a critical trade route in Lower South Waziristan, has deteriorated into an almost impassable stretch, causing severe distress for travelers, transporters, and traders.

Frequent landslides, deep potholes, and unpaved sections—worsened by heavy rainfall in recent days—have left thousands stranded, bringing trade and daily travel to a standstill.

A Key Trade Route in Crisis

The road, which connects Wana to Gomal Zam and facilitates Pak-Afghan trade via the Angoor Adda border, is used by thousands of small and heavy vehicles daily. However, its current condition has forced many drivers to abandon their journeys, while others endure long delays and dangerous travel conditions.

Landslides triggered by persistent rain have further choked the already damaged road, blocking traffic and leaving passengers stranded for hours. Heavy trucks, crucial for cross-border trade, struggle to navigate through debris and potholes, disrupting economic activities in the region.

Locals Demand Urgent Action

Frustrated by the government’s inaction, Wazir tribal elders revealed that repeated complaints to the civil administration and the communication & works department have fallen on deaf ears.

“This road is not just important for us—it is the backbone of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” one elder stated, highlighting the severe economic consequences of the road’s continued neglect.

They also pointed out that billions of rupees had previously been allocated for the road’s reconstruction, but the current PTI-led provincial administration removed it from the development program, halting much-needed repairs.

Calls for Government and Military Intervention

Ashfaq Wazir, a provincial leader of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the army chief to intervene. He stressed that immediate reconstruction is necessary to resume trade activities and ease the suffering of daily commuters.

"The federal government must approve emergency funds to fix this road before the situation worsens," he urged, warning that continued neglect could further isolate South Waziristan and hurt national trade.

A Matter of National Importance

With public pressure mounting, the federal and provincial governments are now being urged to prioritize the reconstruction of the Wana-Gomal Zam Road. Local elders and political leaders warn that failure to act swiftly will only worsen the economic crisis and increase hardships for thousands of residents and traders who rely on this key trade artery.

As the road remains blocked and businesses suffer, the people of South Waziristan await an urgent response—before the region’s economic lifeline completely collapses.
Tagged:

SouthWaziristan

PakAfghanTrade

RoadCrisis

WanaGomalZam
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