DAWN
Report Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD: Some strong elements at the Rawalpindi office of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continue to deny tickets to intending passengers on the Islamabad-Chitral flights, causing hardship to the people and financial loss to the national flag-carrier.
Talking to this correspondent on the phone, Chitral Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmed Khan on Wednesday regretted that despite assurances by the higher authorities of PIA, no step had been taken to resolve the matter.
He said some delegates coming to Chitral to attend a seminar were denied tickets by the PIA officials in Rawalpindi saying that seats were not available. However, he expressed the surprise that most of the seats on the flight remained vacant during the last couple of days.
Chitralis living in the twin cities said the PIA officials always denied them tickets while flights were going to the valley almost empty. They said some elements in the office were cheating on the corporation and causing it huge losses while the high-ups had failed to take action against them.
The Islamabad-Chitral service was launched in May 2007 to end the communication-related problems of the people of Chitral and promote tourism in the area. However, after about six months, the operation was suspended citing unavailability of enough passengers. Later, the service was re-launched but the PIA instead of encouraging the ticket-seekers created hurdles in the smooth operation of the service.
People of Chitral living in the twin cities said PIA management had deliberately made it impossible for the passengers to get seats on the flights despite long queues of ticket seekers in its offices in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
"Ever since the PIA started service on this route, there was a conspiracy from within the organisation itself to sabotage the service. Passengers are refused seats, while the planes are flying from Islamabad almost empty. Even chance tickets are refused to the passengers," they said. On the other hand, flights from Chitral always remained full to capacity.
When the 10,500-foot Lowari Pass closes for all types of traffic in winter due to snowfall, the people of Chitral used to travel through the lawless Kunar province of Afghanistan. However, this year the route will also remain out of bounds due to military operations in Bajaur and other areas of the province. People of Chitral have called upon the government to announce special package to end their communication problems till completion of the Lowari tunnel.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blocked traffic diverted to alternative route
Report GH Farooqui, Chitral
Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan opened the blocked traffic in Shelly village in front of Ayun by diverting it through the nearby land of the local people.
Traffic had been blocked due to continuous land sliding in the village for the last one week due to blasting of a mountain to widen the main road by the National Highway Authority.
Hundreds of vehicles going to wards Chitral and Peshwar were waiting on both sides of the road.
The tehsil nazim had requested the local people to allow the vehicles to pass through their land as an alternative to the main road. The NHA has started work for constructing a bypass road via Shelly village and Chitral river.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Public up at arms against new bus fares
Report Ibrahim Qabool, Mastuj
People here have reacted strongly to the U-turn taken by the district administration on public transport fares on the pressure of the drivers union.
The district administration had earlier fixed public transport fares between the Chitral town and all villages in the tehsil in accordance with the decrease in the prices of petroleum products. However, drivers belonging to Mastuj went on a strike for about 20 to 25 days against the new bus fares enforced by the district administration.
On November 21, representatives of the drivers union and some nazims held a meeting with the DRO (district revenue officer) after which the bus fares were increased on the demand of the transporters.
But the public is not ready to accept the latest revision. They say the first decision of the district administration ie DCO, DPO and the DRO was rational because the prices of petroleum product have been decreasing day by day.
The public of Mastuj say they are also disappointed at the role of UC nazim Ibrahim Shah in taking the side of the drivers.
On November 22, social worker Molaiddin Shah of Mastuj told Mr Ibrahim Shah that this was totally injustice with the people and they would not accept the revised bus fares.
Our representatives also received phone calls from people belonging to almost all walks of life condemning the latest revision in transport fares and terming it anti-people. They said instead of surrendering to the drivers, the local administration should have brought down the fares in accordance with the slump in POL prices and give some relief to the commuters already hard hit by ever rising inflation.
They asked the district administration to ensure implementation of the previous bus fares.
Previous bus fare fixed by district administration
Station Passenger vehical
(special) Rate per passenger
Loaded vehicle Rate per
50 KG Rate per 40 KG
Chitral to Mastuj 130 130 60 60
Revised by nazims and representatives of drivers union on 21st November
Station Passenger vehical
(special) Rate per passenger
Loaded vehicle Rate per
50 KG Rate per 40 KG Rate of 50 and 40 KG is also applicable for passenger vehicles.
Chitral to Mastuj 165 140 70 60
People here have reacted strongly to the U-turn taken by the district administration on public transport fares on the pressure of the drivers union.
The district administration had earlier fixed public transport fares between the Chitral town and all villages in the tehsil in accordance with the decrease in the prices of petroleum products. However, drivers belonging to Mastuj went on a strike for about 20 to 25 days against the new bus fares enforced by the district administration.
On November 21, representatives of the drivers union and some nazims held a meeting with the DRO (district revenue officer) after which the bus fares were increased on the demand of the transporters.
But the public is not ready to accept the latest revision. They say the first decision of the district administration ie DCO, DPO and the DRO was rational because the prices of petroleum product have been decreasing day by day.
The public of Mastuj say they are also disappointed at the role of UC nazim Ibrahim Shah in taking the side of the drivers.
On November 22, social worker Molaiddin Shah of Mastuj told Mr Ibrahim Shah that this was totally injustice with the people and they would not accept the revised bus fares.
Our representatives also received phone calls from people belonging to almost all walks of life condemning the latest revision in transport fares and terming it anti-people. They said instead of surrendering to the drivers, the local administration should have brought down the fares in accordance with the slump in POL prices and give some relief to the commuters already hard hit by ever rising inflation.
They asked the district administration to ensure implementation of the previous bus fares.
Previous bus fare fixed by district administration
Station Passenger vehical
(special) Rate per passenger
Loaded vehicle Rate per
50 KG Rate per 40 KG
Chitral to Mastuj 130 130 60 60
Revised by nazims and representatives of drivers union on 21st November
Station Passenger vehical
(special) Rate per passenger
Loaded vehicle Rate per
50 KG Rate per 40 KG Rate of 50 and 40 KG is also applicable for passenger vehicles.
Chitral to Mastuj 165 140 70 60
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Lowari tunnel digging to complete by Jan 15: minister
PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Communications Dr Alamgir Khan said on Sunday that work on the 8.5 kilometer long Lowari Tunnel would be completed by January 15.
The minister said the residents of Chitral were only 400 metres away from the long-awaited dream and hoped that their dream would be materalized by January 15. The tunnel, he said, would open the landlocked culturally rich district for tourism and would connect it with Central Asian states and promote trade and investment in the region. Initially, a train would run into the tunnel and will take about 45 minutes from one end to the other.
The minister said renovation work such as electrification etc would be completed in six to eight months. He said Lowari tunnel would restore centuries-old ties between Pakistan and CARs.--APP
The minister said the residents of Chitral were only 400 metres away from the long-awaited dream and hoped that their dream would be materalized by January 15. The tunnel, he said, would open the landlocked culturally rich district for tourism and would connect it with Central Asian states and promote trade and investment in the region. Initially, a train would run into the tunnel and will take about 45 minutes from one end to the other.
The minister said renovation work such as electrification etc would be completed in six to eight months. He said Lowari tunnel would restore centuries-old ties between Pakistan and CARs.--APP
Saturday, November 22, 2008
How safe is the Lowari tunnel?
By Maureen Lines
ZIARAT, on the Chitral side of the Lowari Pass, near the village of Asheret, is the gateway to Chitral and home to a contingent of the Chitral Scouts. It is also the final resting place of a Muslim saint who died many decades ago.
It has been the scene of many tragedies. Last year, 11 Scouts were killed in an avalanche; the year before, a Korean engineer was washed away in a flood, along with a small satellite village and expensive equipment. Ziarat is the site of the second entrance to the Lowari tunnel.
I have been travelling across the Lowari for the past 28 years. I know every twist and turn. I have been stranded at the top in a winter blizzard, slipped and slithered in spring ice and snow, and suffered from the heat of the summer in an open jeep on the lower slopes.
At the end of the eighties, I travelled with an American survey team across the pass. At the entrance to the tunnel (started in 1975 and abandoned due to ‘snags’), the senior geologist pointed out an earthquake fault line above the entrance. A couple of months later, I received a Christmas card from his wife telling me her husband had died in mysterious circumstances. No other details were given, nor any address.
I have been present both in Peshawar and Chital during minor earthquakes. Last week there was a tremor in Drosh. Two weeks ago, my Chitrali driver was coming to pick me up in Dir and felt a tremor coming over the pass. I have trekked all over these mountains and in Nuristan. I know only too well how treacherous and unstable the terrain is, especially when the mountainside is being blasted or heavy rains have fallen. In the Kalash valley of Birir I have seen many floods caused by deforestation.
In these mountains there is water seepage. When crossing the passes into Nuristan and taking shelter in caves I made it a point to always check if there was any water seeping through the rocks. What are the chances of floods and water seepage in the vicinity of the tunnel? Supposedly, if a tunnel is being dug through a thick rock base, there should be no water seepage, but what about all the mining disasters that have occurred throughout the world due to water seepage?
And floods? On the Chitral side of the tunnel the entrance has been built at the junction of two nullahs, one leading from the Lowari Top and the other which lies beneath deforested slopes. It was here that the flood came and washed away the engineer. On the mountainside opposite the tunnel entrance, below a slope shorn of trees, is the new construction housing the Chitral Scouts. It was here that the avalanche swept away the Scouts last year.
These are just the outside physical aspects. What about inside the tunnel? Is there any water seepage as rumoured? Has the soil been stabilised? Has the rock within the tunnel been reinforced with rock bolts? If so, has the tensile strength of the steel from which rock bolts are made been tested? Has a reliable epoxy been injected under pressure into these holes, which are often overhead? What about air quality? Maintenance? These are generally failings in Pakistan.
Although the Koreans are the experts involved in the tunnel operation, it was the Japanese who were first asked to build it. They refused as they considered it far too complicated and expensive. Tunnel-building is always hazardous. Some years ago there were problems in tunnels in the Alps. Recently a fire broke out in the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France.
Although a railway has been planned for the Lowari tunnel, there is a rumour that the tunnel may be open for light traffic this winter. Rs5.4bn was the quoted price for the tunnel in 2005. What is the real cost in 2008? How much has been allocated for the safety and security of the tunnel? I have requested a meeting with the secretary for communications in the hope that he can answer these questions.
The people of Chitral have always been desperate for an all-weather route throughout the year. They have long been neglected and cut off from the rest of the country, as though they were second-class citizens, but why were other alternatives such as a chairlift and an alternative highway on the Swat side of the pass not given more consideration?
The Chitralis want access to the outside world during the winter as well as the rest of the year, but they do not want to put their lives in danger. It is imperative that the public be told about measures taken for their safety and that before the tunnel is opened inspection teams from the Alpine countries of Europe be given tours of this project.--Dawn
The writer, a British author and photographer, is the director of the Kalash Environmental Protection Society and the Hindukush Conservation Association.
ZIARAT, on the Chitral side of the Lowari Pass, near the village of Asheret, is the gateway to Chitral and home to a contingent of the Chitral Scouts. It is also the final resting place of a Muslim saint who died many decades ago.
It has been the scene of many tragedies. Last year, 11 Scouts were killed in an avalanche; the year before, a Korean engineer was washed away in a flood, along with a small satellite village and expensive equipment. Ziarat is the site of the second entrance to the Lowari tunnel.
I have been travelling across the Lowari for the past 28 years. I know every twist and turn. I have been stranded at the top in a winter blizzard, slipped and slithered in spring ice and snow, and suffered from the heat of the summer in an open jeep on the lower slopes.
At the end of the eighties, I travelled with an American survey team across the pass. At the entrance to the tunnel (started in 1975 and abandoned due to ‘snags’), the senior geologist pointed out an earthquake fault line above the entrance. A couple of months later, I received a Christmas card from his wife telling me her husband had died in mysterious circumstances. No other details were given, nor any address.
I have been present both in Peshawar and Chital during minor earthquakes. Last week there was a tremor in Drosh. Two weeks ago, my Chitrali driver was coming to pick me up in Dir and felt a tremor coming over the pass. I have trekked all over these mountains and in Nuristan. I know only too well how treacherous and unstable the terrain is, especially when the mountainside is being blasted or heavy rains have fallen. In the Kalash valley of Birir I have seen many floods caused by deforestation.
In these mountains there is water seepage. When crossing the passes into Nuristan and taking shelter in caves I made it a point to always check if there was any water seeping through the rocks. What are the chances of floods and water seepage in the vicinity of the tunnel? Supposedly, if a tunnel is being dug through a thick rock base, there should be no water seepage, but what about all the mining disasters that have occurred throughout the world due to water seepage?
And floods? On the Chitral side of the tunnel the entrance has been built at the junction of two nullahs, one leading from the Lowari Top and the other which lies beneath deforested slopes. It was here that the flood came and washed away the engineer. On the mountainside opposite the tunnel entrance, below a slope shorn of trees, is the new construction housing the Chitral Scouts. It was here that the avalanche swept away the Scouts last year.
These are just the outside physical aspects. What about inside the tunnel? Is there any water seepage as rumoured? Has the soil been stabilised? Has the rock within the tunnel been reinforced with rock bolts? If so, has the tensile strength of the steel from which rock bolts are made been tested? Has a reliable epoxy been injected under pressure into these holes, which are often overhead? What about air quality? Maintenance? These are generally failings in Pakistan.
Although the Koreans are the experts involved in the tunnel operation, it was the Japanese who were first asked to build it. They refused as they considered it far too complicated and expensive. Tunnel-building is always hazardous. Some years ago there were problems in tunnels in the Alps. Recently a fire broke out in the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France.
Although a railway has been planned for the Lowari tunnel, there is a rumour that the tunnel may be open for light traffic this winter. Rs5.4bn was the quoted price for the tunnel in 2005. What is the real cost in 2008? How much has been allocated for the safety and security of the tunnel? I have requested a meeting with the secretary for communications in the hope that he can answer these questions.
The people of Chitral have always been desperate for an all-weather route throughout the year. They have long been neglected and cut off from the rest of the country, as though they were second-class citizens, but why were other alternatives such as a chairlift and an alternative highway on the Swat side of the pass not given more consideration?
The Chitralis want access to the outside world during the winter as well as the rest of the year, but they do not want to put their lives in danger. It is imperative that the public be told about measures taken for their safety and that before the tunnel is opened inspection teams from the Alpine countries of Europe be given tours of this project.--Dawn
The writer, a British author and photographer, is the director of the Kalash Environmental Protection Society and the Hindukush Conservation Association.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Formation of forest committees discussed
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL: A meeting of Zilla Council Chitral under the chair of Convener Sultan Shah discussed criteria for distribution of fund under the head of forest royalty and establishment of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC).
The District Forest Officer (DFO) briefed the house regarding JFMC criteria. Members of the house said the forest department had failed to implement JFMC rules 2004. The house also expressed its concern over the fact that funds were either not being distributed among the real royalty holders or were embezzled with the conspiracy of the timber mafia. Some of the nazims pointed out that the forest department had established JFMC at each village but they had ignored other non-government organizations like village committees, citizen community boards, women organizations etc.
Qayyum Baig, nazim union council Khoth, asked the DFO to explain how many trees had been cut and why some trees had been marked twice. Besides, why the near and dears one were included in the JFMC.
The district officer revenue and estate Akbar Jalal also briefed the house regarding detail of funds distributed among different royalty holders.
Syed Imtiaz Hussain Jan Advocate, nazim union council Ashriat, presented a resolution which was passed unanimously. It demanded that a committee should be formed under the chair of Imtiaz Hussain Jan to probe into the establishment and framing of a JFMC without the knowledge of the local community.
CHITRAL: A meeting of Zilla Council Chitral under the chair of Convener Sultan Shah discussed criteria for distribution of fund under the head of forest royalty and establishment of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC).
The District Forest Officer (DFO) briefed the house regarding JFMC criteria. Members of the house said the forest department had failed to implement JFMC rules 2004. The house also expressed its concern over the fact that funds were either not being distributed among the real royalty holders or were embezzled with the conspiracy of the timber mafia. Some of the nazims pointed out that the forest department had established JFMC at each village but they had ignored other non-government organizations like village committees, citizen community boards, women organizations etc.
Qayyum Baig, nazim union council Khoth, asked the DFO to explain how many trees had been cut and why some trees had been marked twice. Besides, why the near and dears one were included in the JFMC.
The district officer revenue and estate Akbar Jalal also briefed the house regarding detail of funds distributed among different royalty holders.
Syed Imtiaz Hussain Jan Advocate, nazim union council Ashriat, presented a resolution which was passed unanimously. It demanded that a committee should be formed under the chair of Imtiaz Hussain Jan to probe into the establishment and framing of a JFMC without the knowledge of the local community.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Paragliding club to be set up in Chitral
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL: The DCO Chitral Mutassim Billah Shah has said a paragliding club will be set up in Chitral to attract paragliders from within the country and abroad. He said Chitral has a suitable topography for this purpose. We have state land which can be used for this project, he added. He was presiding over a meeting of the district sports committee.
He said land at Birmogh Lasht was very much suitable for paragliding as foreign paragliders were already using it. A camp office for paragliding club will also be opened at Booni to facilitate the players. He said Shandur polo tournament is our traditional game which would be promoted further. He also promised to set up a sports office at Chitral to guide and support the local players.
The participants complained about unavailability of stadiums and playgrounds in the valley. Tehsil nazim Mastuj Sikandarul Mulk said he had already offered free of cost land for a playground and stadium but there were no funds for construction purposes.
The participants also complained of encroachments in polo grounds by public as well as some departments. They said a polo ground at Ayun had been occupied and most of its parts were under encroachments. Some departments have also occupied polo ground at Koghuzi. The polo ground at Chitral was being used by students of a private college. They said Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT) should be engaged and activated for promotion of sports and tourism.
The DCO also proposed arranging tours of Chitral polo players to Northern Areas and players of N.As to Chitral for enhancing mutual understand and harmony.
CHITRAL: The DCO Chitral Mutassim Billah Shah has said a paragliding club will be set up in Chitral to attract paragliders from within the country and abroad. He said Chitral has a suitable topography for this purpose. We have state land which can be used for this project, he added. He was presiding over a meeting of the district sports committee.
He said land at Birmogh Lasht was very much suitable for paragliding as foreign paragliders were already using it. A camp office for paragliding club will also be opened at Booni to facilitate the players. He said Shandur polo tournament is our traditional game which would be promoted further. He also promised to set up a sports office at Chitral to guide and support the local players.
The participants complained about unavailability of stadiums and playgrounds in the valley. Tehsil nazim Mastuj Sikandarul Mulk said he had already offered free of cost land for a playground and stadium but there were no funds for construction purposes.
The participants also complained of encroachments in polo grounds by public as well as some departments. They said a polo ground at Ayun had been occupied and most of its parts were under encroachments. Some departments have also occupied polo ground at Koghuzi. The polo ground at Chitral was being used by students of a private college. They said Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT) should be engaged and activated for promotion of sports and tourism.
The DCO also proposed arranging tours of Chitral polo players to Northern Areas and players of N.As to Chitral for enhancing mutual understand and harmony.
NATCO service in Chitral
For 16 to 18 days, NATCO joined private drivers and observed a strike and did not provide service to the public when it was needed the most. As per statement of Haji Murad, Shahzada Sikanderul Mulk, the Tehsil Nazim Mastuj, reprimanded driver Fateh Lal for not providing service to the public and being government servant violating order and participating in a strike with private drivers.
There are three land cruisers of the company in Chitral. One provides service from Mastuj to Brok and the other two ply from Chitral to Mastuj. But unfortunately none of them is working properly. One of the drives, Fateh Lal from Khuzh, is serving from Chitral to Khuzh, Brep, Chuinj, Chapari and parks teh vehicle at his home.
Zar Khan belongs to Balim and serves from Chitral to Laspure but he also parks the goernment.vehicle at his home in Balim.
Same is the case with Mr Rabnawaz Khan from Sor Laspur who is deputed on Chitral-Laspur route but he too has parked the vehicle at his home in Sor Laspur.
Therefore, you are requested to highlight these points so that action should be taken against the responsible.
Ibrahim Qabool
Chitral.
There are three land cruisers of the company in Chitral. One provides service from Mastuj to Brok and the other two ply from Chitral to Mastuj. But unfortunately none of them is working properly. One of the drives, Fateh Lal from Khuzh, is serving from Chitral to Khuzh, Brep, Chuinj, Chapari and parks teh vehicle at his home.
Zar Khan belongs to Balim and serves from Chitral to Laspure but he also parks the goernment.vehicle at his home in Balim.
Same is the case with Mr Rabnawaz Khan from Sor Laspur who is deputed on Chitral-Laspur route but he too has parked the vehicle at his home in Sor Laspur.
Therefore, you are requested to highlight these points so that action should be taken against the responsible.
Ibrahim Qabool
Chitral.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Call to appoint civil judge at Drosh
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL: The post of Civil Judge Drosh is lying vacant for the last four months. As a result, litigants in this thickly- populated tehsil are facing numerous problems.
They have to travel 50 km to the court of Civil Judge in Chitral for hearing ofpetty cases. Besides, people from Arandu situated some 90 km from Chitral also come to Chitral for petty cases. Drosh has a population of over 60,000 but they are deprived of some basic facilities including the local judiciary.
Ihsanullah, General Councillor, of Ashirat said people from Ziarat, Lowari, Ashirat, Zrandu and other far-away villages were compelled to go to Chitral for bail in section 107 instead of Drosh as the seat of Civil Judge is lying vacant. He demanded that Chief Justice Peshawar High Court and Governor NWFP should order posting of a civil judge in Drosh immediately to solve the problems of these people.
CHITRAL: The post of Civil Judge Drosh is lying vacant for the last four months. As a result, litigants in this thickly- populated tehsil are facing numerous problems.
They have to travel 50 km to the court of Civil Judge in Chitral for hearing ofpetty cases. Besides, people from Arandu situated some 90 km from Chitral also come to Chitral for petty cases. Drosh has a population of over 60,000 but they are deprived of some basic facilities including the local judiciary.
Ihsanullah, General Councillor, of Ashirat said people from Ziarat, Lowari, Ashirat, Zrandu and other far-away villages were compelled to go to Chitral for bail in section 107 instead of Drosh as the seat of Civil Judge is lying vacant. He demanded that Chief Justice Peshawar High Court and Governor NWFP should order posting of a civil judge in Drosh immediately to solve the problems of these people.
Writ of district govt in Chitral bazaar
Report Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral
It is heartening to note that the DCO of Chitral has fixed the prices of essential commodities of daily use during the coming winter keeping in view the best interest of the people.
We appreciate all those steps which are being taken by the DCO for the benefit of Chitral. We see every year that the district administration fixes official rates for various items in the local market. But the fair implementation of these rates has never taken place. Some examples will help us to know the real situation. The DCO has fixed the price of firewood at Rs150 per maund but in the local market it is being sold at Rs210 per maund. Firewood is the most important item widely used during winter season for heating purpose.
The official rate of mutton has been lowered to Rs160 per kg but in the meat market it is available at Rs200 per kg. Similarly, the fixed price of beef is Rs130 per kg but the bazaar rate is Rs150 per kg. Same is the case with Tandoors and vegetable market. A week ago, the DCO paid a surprise visit to the Tandoors and fined some of the owners for selling low weight naan. He also gave prizes to the owners of some tandoors for their honesty and fair play. But the practice of selling low weight rooti at Rs8 is still high in the Tandoor market. The sudden inspection of the market by the DCO and imposition of fine has not discouraged the malpractices of the owners of Tandoors.
Vegetable market is also involved in profiteering. So the strict implementation of the official rate is the need of the hour in Chitral. The district government should ensure its writ and check profiteering and hoarding properly during the winter season.
It is heartening to note that the DCO of Chitral has fixed the prices of essential commodities of daily use during the coming winter keeping in view the best interest of the people.
We appreciate all those steps which are being taken by the DCO for the benefit of Chitral. We see every year that the district administration fixes official rates for various items in the local market. But the fair implementation of these rates has never taken place. Some examples will help us to know the real situation. The DCO has fixed the price of firewood at Rs150 per maund but in the local market it is being sold at Rs210 per maund. Firewood is the most important item widely used during winter season for heating purpose.
The official rate of mutton has been lowered to Rs160 per kg but in the meat market it is available at Rs200 per kg. Similarly, the fixed price of beef is Rs130 per kg but the bazaar rate is Rs150 per kg. Same is the case with Tandoors and vegetable market. A week ago, the DCO paid a surprise visit to the Tandoors and fined some of the owners for selling low weight naan. He also gave prizes to the owners of some tandoors for their honesty and fair play. But the practice of selling low weight rooti at Rs8 is still high in the Tandoor market. The sudden inspection of the market by the DCO and imposition of fine has not discouraged the malpractices of the owners of Tandoors.
Vegetable market is also involved in profiteering. So the strict implementation of the official rate is the need of the hour in Chitral. The district government should ensure its writ and check profiteering and hoarding properly during the winter season.
Lowari Pass re-opens
CHITRAL: Lowari Pass, the only land route connecting Chitral with other parts of the country, was reopened by National Highway Authority (NHA) for light traffic on Sunday, Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan confirmed while talking to this scribe. The Lowari Pass had blocked for all types of traffic on Wednesday night after heavy snowfall.--GH Farooqui
Bul Subedar passes away
CHITRAL: A prominent figure of Chitral, Subedar (retired) Bul Khan, died of heart attack. He was 85. He was laid to rest at his ancestral village of Charoon in the presence of hundreds of mourners.
A large number of people belonging to all walks of life attended his funeral prayer and condolence ceremony at his residence.
The deceased was the father of Inayatullah, Bashir, Muhkam and uncle of Rahmat Wali, secretary to Tehsil Nazim Chitral; Iqbal Wali of Social Welfare Office and Sardar Muhammad.--GH Farooqui
A large number of people belonging to all walks of life attended his funeral prayer and condolence ceremony at his residence.
The deceased was the father of Inayatullah, Bashir, Muhkam and uncle of Rahmat Wali, secretary to Tehsil Nazim Chitral; Iqbal Wali of Social Welfare Office and Sardar Muhammad.--GH Farooqui
Rs110 million released for power house expansion
Chitral Update Report
DIZG (Yarkhun valley): A sum of Rs110 million have been released for the expansion of a power house at Grover village in the Yarkhun valley which provides electricity to Istach, Dizg, Khruzg and Mahting villages.
The funds have been allocated for the project under the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) through the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
The community members said they were holding meetings and would soon start work on the project. They said the funds had been transferred to the local people which had earlier constructed the 15 KV power house on the Grover Gol about ten years ago. The power house has become insufficient to meet the demand of the residents and a request had been made to the authorities concerned for expansion of the facility.
Recently a 50 KW power station has also been completed on the river for the Brep village but due to a dispute between the locals and AKRSP, and collapse of the water tank it has not yet been inaugurated. The water tank is being reconstructed by the residents.
After expansion of the small power house, the frequent breakdowns in the power supply to the villages will be resolved on a permanent basis. The local people thanked the MNA for allocation of funds for the project.
DIZG (Yarkhun valley): A sum of Rs110 million have been released for the expansion of a power house at Grover village in the Yarkhun valley which provides electricity to Istach, Dizg, Khruzg and Mahting villages.
The funds have been allocated for the project under the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) through the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
The community members said they were holding meetings and would soon start work on the project. They said the funds had been transferred to the local people which had earlier constructed the 15 KV power house on the Grover Gol about ten years ago. The power house has become insufficient to meet the demand of the residents and a request had been made to the authorities concerned for expansion of the facility.
Recently a 50 KW power station has also been completed on the river for the Brep village but due to a dispute between the locals and AKRSP, and collapse of the water tank it has not yet been inaugurated. The water tank is being reconstructed by the residents.
After expansion of the small power house, the frequent breakdowns in the power supply to the villages will be resolved on a permanent basis. The local people thanked the MNA for allocation of funds for the project.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Chitral: Parkusap bridge inaugurated
Chitral Update Report
MASTUJ: A jeepable bridge contructed over the
Yarkhun river linking Parkusap and Ghoro
villages with other parts of Mastuj was
inaugurated by MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin and
MPA Ghulam Mohammad on Friday.
Funds for the reconstruction of the bridge, which
was destroyed by floods last year, were provided
by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the MNA lauded the
local people for their participation in the
construction of the bridge. He also hailed
the services of the SRSP for the development
of the far-off areas of Chitral.
MASTUJ: A jeepable bridge contructed over the
Yarkhun river linking Parkusap and Ghoro
villages with other parts of Mastuj was
inaugurated by MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin and
MPA Ghulam Mohammad on Friday.
Funds for the reconstruction of the bridge, which
was destroyed by floods last year, were provided
by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the MNA lauded the
local people for their participation in the
construction of the bridge. He also hailed
the services of the SRSP for the development
of the far-off areas of Chitral.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Fuel crisis: Federal govt comes to Chitral's rescue
Chitral Updare Report
CHITRAL: The federal government has assured the district government of Chitral that it will provide 3.5 millions litres of diesel to the valley soon.
The decision was taken on the request of the district administration in the wake of a fuel crisis looming large on the district due to the current financial constraints and blockade of communication in winter.
The Pakistan State Oil has at present 1.56 million litres of fuel stock in the district while the daily local consumption is 50,000 to 60,000 litres. There was apprehension that the district will be left with no fuel at all after the closure of the Lowari pass this year, as supplies would also be impossible via the Afghan route this year due to military operation in Bajaur and other parts of the NWFP.
CHITRAL: The federal government has assured the district government of Chitral that it will provide 3.5 millions litres of diesel to the valley soon.
The decision was taken on the request of the district administration in the wake of a fuel crisis looming large on the district due to the current financial constraints and blockade of communication in winter.
The Pakistan State Oil has at present 1.56 million litres of fuel stock in the district while the daily local consumption is 50,000 to 60,000 litres. There was apprehension that the district will be left with no fuel at all after the closure of the Lowari pass this year, as supplies would also be impossible via the Afghan route this year due to military operation in Bajaur and other parts of the NWFP.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
NHA rules out Lowari tunnel opening this year
ISLAMABAD: Regarding the possibility to open the Lowari tunnel for the public soon after its completion this year, the National Highway Authority has issued the following statement:
We would like to take this opportunity to apprise the people of the actual status of the project and the timeframe of its formal opening.
The excavation work on the Lowari tunnel is expected to be completed this winter. However, once the excavation is completed, the tunnel will remain under close technical observation for a certain period of time in order to ensure that there is no deformation or overstressing in the rocks. Also, once the excavation is completed, a host of civil works involving movement of heavy machinery will need to be carried out inside the tunnel.
The tunnel has to be completed in all respects and declared absolutely safe by engineers before opening it for public use. At present, work is proceeding as planned and the tunnel is expected to formally open by the end of 2010.
We would like to take this opportunity to apprise the people of the actual status of the project and the timeframe of its formal opening.
The excavation work on the Lowari tunnel is expected to be completed this winter. However, once the excavation is completed, the tunnel will remain under close technical observation for a certain period of time in order to ensure that there is no deformation or overstressing in the rocks. Also, once the excavation is completed, a host of civil works involving movement of heavy machinery will need to be carried out inside the tunnel.
The tunnel has to be completed in all respects and declared absolutely safe by engineers before opening it for public use. At present, work is proceeding as planned and the tunnel is expected to formally open by the end of 2010.
POL crisis may hit Chitral
Report GH Farooqui, Chitral
Leaders of all political parties here on Tuesday discussed the imminent shortage of POL products in Chitral as there is a stock left for one month only.
The participants discussed various means to solve the problem after the blockade of the Lowari pass this winter.
Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmad Khan disclosed that there was an acute shortage of diesel and the district required four million litres of high speed diesel, 0.1 million litres of petrol and 0.250 million litres of kerosene.
Tahir Mehmood, in-charge of depot operations Pakistan State Oil, said they have already informed the district government about the shortage of oil. He said if the situation persisted the PSO would face billion of loss. The participants also complained that diesel was being smuggled to Afghanistan.
Leaders of different political parties like PPP, PML-N, ANP etc, suggested to contact their members of parliament to raise the issue on the floors of the assemblies for quick action and supply of oil to Chitral before the closure of Lowari top.
ACO Chitral Miftahuddin said the provincial government had been informed about the situation and it was under process.
The PSO representative informed the participants that they had millions of rupees pending against several departments; as a result, they cannot be dumping more oil until the federal government played a role for releasing their dues. The participants also expressed their concern over unavailability of oil and said the supply of wheat and other food items could not be made possible without fuel.
The participants also feared that the ongoing projects can also suffer due to the shortage of oil. They also suggested that NHA, Wapda and other departments should stock oil on their own.
The meeting was also informed that transportation of food items have also been banned via Kunar road.
The participants condemned PSO for not storing fuel as usual which led to the crisis. They decided to contact MNA and MPAs from Chitral for taking quick action on this issue. a Delegation should meet highups of PSO and provincial and Federal government in this regard.
Leaders of all political parties here on Tuesday discussed the imminent shortage of POL products in Chitral as there is a stock left for one month only.
The participants discussed various means to solve the problem after the blockade of the Lowari pass this winter.
Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmad Khan disclosed that there was an acute shortage of diesel and the district required four million litres of high speed diesel, 0.1 million litres of petrol and 0.250 million litres of kerosene.
Tahir Mehmood, in-charge of depot operations Pakistan State Oil, said they have already informed the district government about the shortage of oil. He said if the situation persisted the PSO would face billion of loss. The participants also complained that diesel was being smuggled to Afghanistan.
Leaders of different political parties like PPP, PML-N, ANP etc, suggested to contact their members of parliament to raise the issue on the floors of the assemblies for quick action and supply of oil to Chitral before the closure of Lowari top.
ACO Chitral Miftahuddin said the provincial government had been informed about the situation and it was under process.
The PSO representative informed the participants that they had millions of rupees pending against several departments; as a result, they cannot be dumping more oil until the federal government played a role for releasing their dues. The participants also expressed their concern over unavailability of oil and said the supply of wheat and other food items could not be made possible without fuel.
The participants also feared that the ongoing projects can also suffer due to the shortage of oil. They also suggested that NHA, Wapda and other departments should stock oil on their own.
The meeting was also informed that transportation of food items have also been banned via Kunar road.
The participants condemned PSO for not storing fuel as usual which led to the crisis. They decided to contact MNA and MPAs from Chitral for taking quick action on this issue. a Delegation should meet highups of PSO and provincial and Federal government in this regard.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Khowar-Urdu dictionary launched
Report Zahiruddin, Chitral
Speakers at a ceremony held here on Sunday said that Khowar language and literature could be ranked with other languages of the country because of its rich and varied vocabulary.
The ceremony was held to launch the first-ever Khowar-Urdu dictionary. The speakers said that the compilation and publication of the Khowar dictionary was a landmark achievement.
Those who addressed the ceremony included compiler of the dictionary Naji Khan Naji, former MPA Maulana Jahangir Khan, tehsil nazim Sartaj Ahmed Khan, president of Anjuman Taraqi-i-Khowar M Yousuf Shahazad, intellectuals Mukarram Shah, Moula Nigah and others.
They said that the dictionary contained more than 16,000 words and phrases of Khowar language which had been rendered into the national language. They said that serious efforts by the writers and poets of Khowar were afoot to bring the language at par with the other languages of the country.
The speakers said that the number of publications on Khowar prose and poetry had reached 500 which showed steady progress and advancement of the language. They said that diversity of the subjects used in the language was enough to testify the approach of the Khowar writers.
They said though a good number of words had been replaced by other languages but the dictionary still preserved the essence of the Khowar language.--Dawn
Speakers at a ceremony held here on Sunday said that Khowar language and literature could be ranked with other languages of the country because of its rich and varied vocabulary.
The ceremony was held to launch the first-ever Khowar-Urdu dictionary. The speakers said that the compilation and publication of the Khowar dictionary was a landmark achievement.
Those who addressed the ceremony included compiler of the dictionary Naji Khan Naji, former MPA Maulana Jahangir Khan, tehsil nazim Sartaj Ahmed Khan, president of Anjuman Taraqi-i-Khowar M Yousuf Shahazad, intellectuals Mukarram Shah, Moula Nigah and others.
They said that the dictionary contained more than 16,000 words and phrases of Khowar language which had been rendered into the national language. They said that serious efforts by the writers and poets of Khowar were afoot to bring the language at par with the other languages of the country.
The speakers said that the number of publications on Khowar prose and poetry had reached 500 which showed steady progress and advancement of the language. They said that diversity of the subjects used in the language was enough to testify the approach of the Khowar writers.
They said though a good number of words had been replaced by other languages but the dictionary still preserved the essence of the Khowar language.--Dawn
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Bodies of martyred Scouts still not dispatched to Chitral
CHITRAL: The bodies of two Chitral Scouts personnel killed in a suicide attack in Mingora Swat were not dispatched to Chitral for burial till filing of this report on Friday evening. The victims were identified as Sepoy Hajiur Rehman of Prayeet village and Sepoy Imtiaz Ahmed of Ayun.--Zahiruddin
Friday, November 7, 2008
Kidnapped girl recovered, handed over to father
Report Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: A girl reportedly kidnapped from her house by her husband and his accomplices over two months ago was produced before a local court on Friday and handed over to her father.
The girl Shazia from the Kalash valley of Rumboor was kidnapped by her husband Hafizullah two months ago and was taken to the Afghan area of Nooristan which borders Chitral district.
Telling her tale of woes to the journalists at the Chitral Press Club here, she said that she was wedded to a boy of her village four years ago but her husband and other in-laws made her life a hell and persecuted her.
“I was treated like an animal and made to toil in the fields and given nothing to eat while my meeting with my father, mother and sisters and brother had been completely banned”, she said.
Shazia said that at last her father filed an application with a local court to seek her divorce from her husband and the case was ongoing. She added that in August, her husband broke open her house at midnight with nine armed men and kidnapped her at gunpoint and took her to the Nooristan area on the other side of the border.
She said that she was beaten by her husband and his accomplice Kamaluddin throughout the way. She said that due to the slaps at her cheeks, she lost her hearing power.
She said that in the house where she was confined, she was also roughed up by her husband due to the fear of the members of the host family. She said she was constantly asked by her husband to forget her parents and other family members and warned that if she told the host family members about her abduction, her father would be slaughtered by his men.
Shazia apprehended that her husband would kidnap her again and appealed to the authorities for her safety. Speaking on the occasion, Shah Nawaz, the father of Shazia and Ghulam Hazrat, her counsel said that her return from the clutches of the abductors was made possible with the interference of the court.
They appealed to the government to establish a checkpost of Chitral Scouts in the district to stop such incidents in future as presently the border area was not guarded by a strong force to check such activities.
CHITRAL: A girl reportedly kidnapped from her house by her husband and his accomplices over two months ago was produced before a local court on Friday and handed over to her father.
The girl Shazia from the Kalash valley of Rumboor was kidnapped by her husband Hafizullah two months ago and was taken to the Afghan area of Nooristan which borders Chitral district.
Telling her tale of woes to the journalists at the Chitral Press Club here, she said that she was wedded to a boy of her village four years ago but her husband and other in-laws made her life a hell and persecuted her.
“I was treated like an animal and made to toil in the fields and given nothing to eat while my meeting with my father, mother and sisters and brother had been completely banned”, she said.
Shazia said that at last her father filed an application with a local court to seek her divorce from her husband and the case was ongoing. She added that in August, her husband broke open her house at midnight with nine armed men and kidnapped her at gunpoint and took her to the Nooristan area on the other side of the border.
She said that she was beaten by her husband and his accomplice Kamaluddin throughout the way. She said that due to the slaps at her cheeks, she lost her hearing power.
She said that in the house where she was confined, she was also roughed up by her husband due to the fear of the members of the host family. She said she was constantly asked by her husband to forget her parents and other family members and warned that if she told the host family members about her abduction, her father would be slaughtered by his men.
Shazia apprehended that her husband would kidnap her again and appealed to the authorities for her safety. Speaking on the occasion, Shah Nawaz, the father of Shazia and Ghulam Hazrat, her counsel said that her return from the clutches of the abductors was made possible with the interference of the court.
They appealed to the government to establish a checkpost of Chitral Scouts in the district to stop such incidents in future as presently the border area was not guarded by a strong force to check such activities.
A window into culture at the roof of the world
This entry is a brief interlude in my Chitral story. Never fear, the next stage will be written very shortly, but in the meantime one of my colleagues (Tayib Jan) has written an article about traditions in the Wakhi culture. The Wakhi people come from the Wakhan corridor in Afghanistan, which is a narrow stretch of land between N Pakistan and Tajikistan. But Wakhi people now live in Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and Tajikistan, in the Pamir region. Nearly all Wakhi people are Ismaili, and their language is very similar to Persian. The following article is about their traditons and culture, particularly within the family. I really wish he had given it to me before I went to Chitral, as the culture there is quite similar, and according to this I made some fundamental errors. But never mind....
'Childhood, youth and old age are natural phenomenon, but they are also socially constructed and mean different things in different societies. Generally, for the purposes of gauging human development, stages are classified as beginning, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood and late adulthood. There are not age limits as such set internationally or nationally at what age we are young and at what age one gets old. It has more to do with the cognitive abilities and working capacity or physical activeness. Some people used to say that when the hair turns gray one becomes old, but today even very young children have grey hair. Socially it can be measured against more or less experience; a synonym for being knowledgeable against being naïve or novice. When youth assume that the old people are ignorant of the demands of time, or when old people think that the youth has a little know-how of the world and its complexities, cracks can develop in society.
Many societies and families have long traditions of authority in which most decisions are made by the elders. If the tradition of accepting the elders is deeply inculcated in the youth the system moves very smoothly. Otherwise, issues of disagreement escalate and on occasions turn into serious revolt. In some cases children have tried to get rid of their elders by sending them to old age facility centers or used some other innovative brutal ways. In other cases the youth have tried a simpler way of just ignoring them despite of the age related requirement that the need to be in some company at least for few hours a day to share the wealth the knowledge they have stored from childhood through youth and to the old age. Some old people are smart and lucky enough to find their grandchildren as their friends. They talk to them and love listening to their experiences and reflect on how much the world has changed.
The Wakhi older adults are good models of vigor and zest. Some people live to ripe old age, as my own grandfather grew as old as 120 years. There are some social factors attached to energy that boost their morale because they feel honoured in the society. In this paper I am going to talk about the titles used for them, decision making, and position at home, dinning, dancing and walking. This paper will not only help the honorable visitors of the Wakhi homes rather it will also allow our own youth to remind themselves of the traditional values of our society. I am aware of the fact that their will be commonalities in other traditions such as Brushaski, Shina, Khowar, and Dari but I will focus on Wakhi so that I do not confuse people.
The Wakhi elders can be called “Mapair”, “Akabeer”, Moye Safeed” or Akhasqool”. Mapair and Akhasqool have the same meaning as old man. Therefore people do not use both these words as they have negative connotations. Akabeer (wise man) and Moye Safeed (white haired man or women meaning experienced). But the most common word used is “Puop”, which means grandfather. The beauty of this title is that it is not necessary that a person needs to be a real grandfather to be called pup. All old males are called pup and while meeting them the first time after a long absence it is necessary to kiss the back of their hands. In return the pup will also kiss the back of your hand. Old ladies are called “Kumpir” meaning old woman and “moum” meaning grandmother. Old women are normally called mum whether they are really grandmother or not and it is an obligation to kiss the back of their hands while visiting them.
The elders of the family, whether male or female, make most of the decisions at home. The decision-making process is mostly participatory and based on common understanding. In the case of marriages, Wakhis are moderate as the boys and girls decide to whom they should marry. The process is carried out through informed consent of the family, especially with the elders.
The elders sit at the most honorable and reserved place in the traditionally built homes. The man sits on the right side and the woman on the left. Nobody else can take their position no matter whether they are head of state or the wealthiest person. The guests, however, can be offered to sit in their places but it is normally considered a good attitude to let the poup or moum sit in their position and the guest sits beside them. In the same fashion the rest of the house is divided into second, third and so on ages. If a person is really naïve it is said he/ she is so simple that “does not know how to sit or stand”. One needs to be really careful in visiting a Wakhi house to avoid taking somebody’s place. The youngest (no matter how educated or having good social status) gets a place in the “burj” means corner in a fully packed house. Relaxing your feet towards somebody or sitting in a way that somebody is at your back is the rudest act.
Food is normally served at a fixed time and at particular place, called the Neekard in the traditional houses. The sheet that is spread on the floor to put the food on is called “Destorkhon”, which is the same in Dari and Persian. It is generally a clean piece of cloth or plastic sheet and people sit around it. When the food is served every body waits the eldest of in the group to start first and other people follow. One of the people takes a full roti called “Shapeek” and offers it to others to take. In such situation one takes a small piece and thanks the person who offers it. Wakhi eating style is very formal, the host will keep on suggesting taking more. Sometimes when this is done by the host puop the situation gets serious! The puop suggests eating more food and can keep on loading your plate with meat or rice. In this case simply ignoring the offer or rejecting it is unacceptable behavior which is really rude. The young are supposed to keep a speed that they finish later than then elders. One can not stop eating until the elders are finished eating. When a person wants to take water he/ she offers others to take it first. In most of cases it is politely rejected by thanks “Schobosh” or “shukriya”. After the food everyone offers prayers for the host and the family who served them. The puop prayers in Wakhi are, for example “May God fill your house with riches”, May God bless all your family” and a lot or more which will be another topic of my writing.
Wakhi, especially men, like dancing but it is very well developed social activity. If somebody wants to see the hierarchy of age in a family or in a bigger clan one should see the dancing line. The line goes from the eldest to elders and to young children. Everybody in a dancing team should follow the team leader who is the most senior person in steps, body movement and speed. The whole dancing team will salute the eldest in the audience before, during and after the dance which lasts 5 to 10 minutes. To show respect the audience encourages the dancers by clapping. Crossing the elders to take the lead, taking a longer time, breaking the row, deferring the elders’ footsteps or standing at the wrong position is really impolite.
Wakhi people like walking, and the landscape where we come from means that we need to walk. Walking in the Wakhi tradition is really difficult - there are some complexities and formalities related to it. The Wakhi elders usually lead the walking and they keep the same hierarchy while walking in a line. This does not mean that whenever the Wakhi walk they walk in a line, but it has something to do with the landscape. There are a lot of narrow walking tracks spread all over the area so people are compelled to follow narrow windings.
Some people might think these are just symbolic but there are tokens of respect attached to all these rituals. There are no certain criteria by which respect can be measured rather it is day and night. The presence of light is called day while the absence of it is night. The same is the case with this semiotic representation of elders’ respect. --courtesy georgechetwynd.blogspots.com
'Childhood, youth and old age are natural phenomenon, but they are also socially constructed and mean different things in different societies. Generally, for the purposes of gauging human development, stages are classified as beginning, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood and late adulthood. There are not age limits as such set internationally or nationally at what age we are young and at what age one gets old. It has more to do with the cognitive abilities and working capacity or physical activeness. Some people used to say that when the hair turns gray one becomes old, but today even very young children have grey hair. Socially it can be measured against more or less experience; a synonym for being knowledgeable against being naïve or novice. When youth assume that the old people are ignorant of the demands of time, or when old people think that the youth has a little know-how of the world and its complexities, cracks can develop in society.
Many societies and families have long traditions of authority in which most decisions are made by the elders. If the tradition of accepting the elders is deeply inculcated in the youth the system moves very smoothly. Otherwise, issues of disagreement escalate and on occasions turn into serious revolt. In some cases children have tried to get rid of their elders by sending them to old age facility centers or used some other innovative brutal ways. In other cases the youth have tried a simpler way of just ignoring them despite of the age related requirement that the need to be in some company at least for few hours a day to share the wealth the knowledge they have stored from childhood through youth and to the old age. Some old people are smart and lucky enough to find their grandchildren as their friends. They talk to them and love listening to their experiences and reflect on how much the world has changed.
The Wakhi older adults are good models of vigor and zest. Some people live to ripe old age, as my own grandfather grew as old as 120 years. There are some social factors attached to energy that boost their morale because they feel honoured in the society. In this paper I am going to talk about the titles used for them, decision making, and position at home, dinning, dancing and walking. This paper will not only help the honorable visitors of the Wakhi homes rather it will also allow our own youth to remind themselves of the traditional values of our society. I am aware of the fact that their will be commonalities in other traditions such as Brushaski, Shina, Khowar, and Dari but I will focus on Wakhi so that I do not confuse people.
The Wakhi elders can be called “Mapair”, “Akabeer”, Moye Safeed” or Akhasqool”. Mapair and Akhasqool have the same meaning as old man. Therefore people do not use both these words as they have negative connotations. Akabeer (wise man) and Moye Safeed (white haired man or women meaning experienced). But the most common word used is “Puop”, which means grandfather. The beauty of this title is that it is not necessary that a person needs to be a real grandfather to be called pup. All old males are called pup and while meeting them the first time after a long absence it is necessary to kiss the back of their hands. In return the pup will also kiss the back of your hand. Old ladies are called “Kumpir” meaning old woman and “moum” meaning grandmother. Old women are normally called mum whether they are really grandmother or not and it is an obligation to kiss the back of their hands while visiting them.
The elders of the family, whether male or female, make most of the decisions at home. The decision-making process is mostly participatory and based on common understanding. In the case of marriages, Wakhis are moderate as the boys and girls decide to whom they should marry. The process is carried out through informed consent of the family, especially with the elders.
The elders sit at the most honorable and reserved place in the traditionally built homes. The man sits on the right side and the woman on the left. Nobody else can take their position no matter whether they are head of state or the wealthiest person. The guests, however, can be offered to sit in their places but it is normally considered a good attitude to let the poup or moum sit in their position and the guest sits beside them. In the same fashion the rest of the house is divided into second, third and so on ages. If a person is really naïve it is said he/ she is so simple that “does not know how to sit or stand”. One needs to be really careful in visiting a Wakhi house to avoid taking somebody’s place. The youngest (no matter how educated or having good social status) gets a place in the “burj” means corner in a fully packed house. Relaxing your feet towards somebody or sitting in a way that somebody is at your back is the rudest act.
Food is normally served at a fixed time and at particular place, called the Neekard in the traditional houses. The sheet that is spread on the floor to put the food on is called “Destorkhon”, which is the same in Dari and Persian. It is generally a clean piece of cloth or plastic sheet and people sit around it. When the food is served every body waits the eldest of in the group to start first and other people follow. One of the people takes a full roti called “Shapeek” and offers it to others to take. In such situation one takes a small piece and thanks the person who offers it. Wakhi eating style is very formal, the host will keep on suggesting taking more. Sometimes when this is done by the host puop the situation gets serious! The puop suggests eating more food and can keep on loading your plate with meat or rice. In this case simply ignoring the offer or rejecting it is unacceptable behavior which is really rude. The young are supposed to keep a speed that they finish later than then elders. One can not stop eating until the elders are finished eating. When a person wants to take water he/ she offers others to take it first. In most of cases it is politely rejected by thanks “Schobosh” or “shukriya”. After the food everyone offers prayers for the host and the family who served them. The puop prayers in Wakhi are, for example “May God fill your house with riches”, May God bless all your family” and a lot or more which will be another topic of my writing.
Wakhi, especially men, like dancing but it is very well developed social activity. If somebody wants to see the hierarchy of age in a family or in a bigger clan one should see the dancing line. The line goes from the eldest to elders and to young children. Everybody in a dancing team should follow the team leader who is the most senior person in steps, body movement and speed. The whole dancing team will salute the eldest in the audience before, during and after the dance which lasts 5 to 10 minutes. To show respect the audience encourages the dancers by clapping. Crossing the elders to take the lead, taking a longer time, breaking the row, deferring the elders’ footsteps or standing at the wrong position is really impolite.
Wakhi people like walking, and the landscape where we come from means that we need to walk. Walking in the Wakhi tradition is really difficult - there are some complexities and formalities related to it. The Wakhi elders usually lead the walking and they keep the same hierarchy while walking in a line. This does not mean that whenever the Wakhi walk they walk in a line, but it has something to do with the landscape. There are a lot of narrow walking tracks spread all over the area so people are compelled to follow narrow windings.
Some people might think these are just symbolic but there are tokens of respect attached to all these rituals. There are no certain criteria by which respect can be measured rather it is day and night. The presence of light is called day while the absence of it is night. The same is the case with this semiotic representation of elders’ respect. --courtesy georgechetwynd.blogspots.com
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Clue to kidnapped Afghan found: DPO
CHITRAL: The local police have claimed a clue to the kidnapping of an ex-Afghanistan official here on Wednesday.
Akhtar Kohistani was abducted from Drosh, a town in Chitral, and was taken to Nooristan area of Kunar province in Afghanistan, District Police Officer (DPO) Sher Akbar said.
He said clue to the kidnapping had been traced in Nooristan, adjacent to Chitral district as a brother of Mr Kohistani arrived from Afghanistan and confirmed his presence there.
The DPO said that the motive behind the incident could be some monetary dispute and the abductors were Afghan nationals. A senior official of the police had been sent to the border area of Arsoon for further investigation into the incident, he added.
Twelve armed persons had reportedly abducted the former Afghan official from Chitral on last Sunday.--Zahiruddin
Akhtar Kohistani was abducted from Drosh, a town in Chitral, and was taken to Nooristan area of Kunar province in Afghanistan, District Police Officer (DPO) Sher Akbar said.
He said clue to the kidnapping had been traced in Nooristan, adjacent to Chitral district as a brother of Mr Kohistani arrived from Afghanistan and confirmed his presence there.
The DPO said that the motive behind the incident could be some monetary dispute and the abductors were Afghan nationals. A senior official of the police had been sent to the border area of Arsoon for further investigation into the incident, he added.
Twelve armed persons had reportedly abducted the former Afghan official from Chitral on last Sunday.--Zahiruddin
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Midwifery school opened in Chitral
CHITRAL: A midwifery school was opened at District Health Development Center Denin under the auspices of Maternity Newborn Child Health (MNCH) program NWFP on Wednesday.
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan was chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Saleem Khan said thE school would be a milestone in decreasing mortality rate in Chitral because majority of pregnant women died during delivery due to unavailability of basic facilities and trained staff.
He said Chief Minister NWFP had specially approved setting up of a Nursing School in Chitral which will be launched next year. He said that there is acute shortage of female technicians and NWFP government was trying its best to recruit more staff to settle this issue. --GH Farooqui
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan was chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Saleem Khan said thE school would be a milestone in decreasing mortality rate in Chitral because majority of pregnant women died during delivery due to unavailability of basic facilities and trained staff.
He said Chief Minister NWFP had specially approved setting up of a Nursing School in Chitral which will be launched next year. He said that there is acute shortage of female technicians and NWFP government was trying its best to recruit more staff to settle this issue. --GH Farooqui
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
$30 million agreements on Golen Gol hydrpower project signed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) on Tuesday signed two agreements of $ 15 million each for the Golan Gol Hydropower Project in Chitral.
The agreements were signed in Vienna by Mr Shahbaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria, and Suleiman J. Al‑Herbish, Director General of the OFID, on behalf of government of Pakistan and OPEC Fund respectively, said a press release received here on Tuesday. The project, involving US$ 30 million co‑financing from the OFID, is located on the Golan Gol River, a left bank tributary of the Mastuj River.
The powerhouse of the project is located in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) along Chitral‑Booni Road at a distance of about 25 kilometers from Chitral.
The project has an installed capacity of 106 MW (annual energy production: 436 million KWH). Work on the Project is already underway and the OPEC Fund’s financial assistance will be utilised in procurement, installation and testing of transmission line and Grid Stations Extension.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director General OFID Suleiman J. Al‑ Herbish recalled that OFID Pakistan cooperation spanned over more than 30 years now.
He expressed the Fund’s continuing commitment to this cooperation in the coming years. Referring to the global financial turmoil, he stressed that OFID’s decision to sign two loan agreements with Pakistan during these times showed the trust which the Fund had in the resilience of the economy of the country. In his remarks, Ambassador Shahbaz thanked the Director General for OFID’s financial support for a number of projects in Pakistan.
Regarding the Golan Gol Hydropower Project, he underlined its particular importance for Pakistan at a time when the country was faced with imbalance between energy demand and its production capability.
He expressed the hope that the cooperative relationship between Pakistan and the Fund will grow further.
The OFID has been co‑financing, both the public and the private sector, projects in Pakistan. Fifteen of these projects have already been completed.
After the signing of today’s loan agreements, the Fund’s total financial assistance to Pakistan will rise to about US$300 million. Pakistan and the Fund also have an Encouragement and Protection of Investment Agreement which was signed in February 2001.
OFID has also been extending humanitarian assistance to Pakistan at the time of natural disasters as it assisted during the floods in 2007 and disastrous earthquake in 2005. --APP
The agreements were signed in Vienna by Mr Shahbaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria, and Suleiman J. Al‑Herbish, Director General of the OFID, on behalf of government of Pakistan and OPEC Fund respectively, said a press release received here on Tuesday. The project, involving US$ 30 million co‑financing from the OFID, is located on the Golan Gol River, a left bank tributary of the Mastuj River.
The powerhouse of the project is located in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) along Chitral‑Booni Road at a distance of about 25 kilometers from Chitral.
The project has an installed capacity of 106 MW (annual energy production: 436 million KWH). Work on the Project is already underway and the OPEC Fund’s financial assistance will be utilised in procurement, installation and testing of transmission line and Grid Stations Extension.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director General OFID Suleiman J. Al‑ Herbish recalled that OFID Pakistan cooperation spanned over more than 30 years now.
He expressed the Fund’s continuing commitment to this cooperation in the coming years. Referring to the global financial turmoil, he stressed that OFID’s decision to sign two loan agreements with Pakistan during these times showed the trust which the Fund had in the resilience of the economy of the country. In his remarks, Ambassador Shahbaz thanked the Director General for OFID’s financial support for a number of projects in Pakistan.
Regarding the Golan Gol Hydropower Project, he underlined its particular importance for Pakistan at a time when the country was faced with imbalance between energy demand and its production capability.
He expressed the hope that the cooperative relationship between Pakistan and the Fund will grow further.
The OFID has been co‑financing, both the public and the private sector, projects in Pakistan. Fifteen of these projects have already been completed.
After the signing of today’s loan agreements, the Fund’s total financial assistance to Pakistan will rise to about US$300 million. Pakistan and the Fund also have an Encouragement and Protection of Investment Agreement which was signed in February 2001.
OFID has also been extending humanitarian assistance to Pakistan at the time of natural disasters as it assisted during the floods in 2007 and disastrous earthquake in 2005. --APP
Monday, November 3, 2008
Advocacy workshop on mother, newborn health begins
CHITRAL: A two-day-long advocacy workshop for health related professionals on maternal, newborn and child health program started here on Monday. The program has been organised by provincial MNCH program supported by UNICEF.
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan was chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the participants, he said we should fight extremism and terrorism. He said we are facing numerous problems. Majority of pregnant women
are dying during delivery.
He said Chitral is a scattered place and it is not possible to take a pregnant woman to hospital on time from far-off areas. He hailed the services of Aga Khan Health Service for rendering their services where there is no health center on government side.
He asked the health department to fill vacant posts of doctors in Chitral. He said newly recruited doctors should serve for at least three years in the local health department.
He announced that a nursing school will be set up in Chitral next year.
District Nazim Haji Maghfirat Shah said we can minimize our problems with the existing resources if we worked with dedication and honesty.
District Coordination Officer Mutasim Billah Shah said we should play a responsible role to overcome the present crisis. He said the main reason behind development of other nations was that they prioritized their education system.--GH Farooqui
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan was chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the participants, he said we should fight extremism and terrorism. He said we are facing numerous problems. Majority of pregnant women
are dying during delivery.
He said Chitral is a scattered place and it is not possible to take a pregnant woman to hospital on time from far-off areas. He hailed the services of Aga Khan Health Service for rendering their services where there is no health center on government side.
He asked the health department to fill vacant posts of doctors in Chitral. He said newly recruited doctors should serve for at least three years in the local health department.
He announced that a nursing school will be set up in Chitral next year.
District Nazim Haji Maghfirat Shah said we can minimize our problems with the existing resources if we worked with dedication and honesty.
District Coordination Officer Mutasim Billah Shah said we should play a responsible role to overcome the present crisis. He said the main reason behind development of other nations was that they prioritized their education system.--GH Farooqui
Chitral lawyers observe black day
CHITRAL: Lawyers in Chitral observed a black day and held a protest rally against sacking of the higher judiciary by former president Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007.
Led by Khurshid Hussain Mughul Advocate, president Chitral Bar Association, the lawyers took out a rally from the Bar Room and held a protest demonstration in front of the District and Sessions Judge offices.
Leaders of DBA delivered speeches on the occasion. Besides others, Jamaat-i-Islami district chief and activists also joined the protest meeting.
They demanded restoration of the pre-November 3, 2007, judiciary. They warned to continue their protest movement till fulfillment of their demand.
The protest rally later dispersed peacefully.—GH Farooqui
Led by Khurshid Hussain Mughul Advocate, president Chitral Bar Association, the lawyers took out a rally from the Bar Room and held a protest demonstration in front of the District and Sessions Judge offices.
Leaders of DBA delivered speeches on the occasion. Besides others, Jamaat-i-Islami district chief and activists also joined the protest meeting.
They demanded restoration of the pre-November 3, 2007, judiciary. They warned to continue their protest movement till fulfillment of their demand.
The protest rally later dispersed peacefully.—GH Farooqui
Kidnapped man was a former Afghan official, says DPO Chitral
Report Zulfiqar Ahmad, Islamabad
The Afghan national kidnapped from Chitral by unknown gunmen was actually an ex-adviser of Afghan government, and had gone to visit his in-laws in village Kalkatak, DPO Chitral Sher Akber Khan on Monday told this reporter on the telephone.
Akhtar Kohistani was working as an adviser at the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, but his tenure expired recently and he was looking for another assignment by the Afghan government, he added.
Unidentified armed men broke into his in-laws' house last night and took him away, he said, adding that after investigation it was concluded by the police that the kidnappers are likely to be non Chitralis as he is having no dispute with his in-laws or any other person in the area.
The police investigation revealed that the Afghan official might be having some disputes with the natives of Kunar province (his hometown) bordering Pakistan, Sher Akbar Khan added.
He said that the kidnappers might have shifted the abductee to Afghanistan as the investigation is unable to find any trace of the official in Chitral and its adjoining areas. Moreover, the motive behind the abduction is not clear yet and further investigations in this regard are underway, the police chief added.
The Afghan national kidnapped from Chitral by unknown gunmen was actually an ex-adviser of Afghan government, and had gone to visit his in-laws in village Kalkatak, DPO Chitral Sher Akber Khan on Monday told this reporter on the telephone.
Akhtar Kohistani was working as an adviser at the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, but his tenure expired recently and he was looking for another assignment by the Afghan government, he added.
Unidentified armed men broke into his in-laws' house last night and took him away, he said, adding that after investigation it was concluded by the police that the kidnappers are likely to be non Chitralis as he is having no dispute with his in-laws or any other person in the area.
The police investigation revealed that the Afghan official might be having some disputes with the natives of Kunar province (his hometown) bordering Pakistan, Sher Akbar Khan added.
He said that the kidnappers might have shifted the abductee to Afghanistan as the investigation is unable to find any trace of the official in Chitral and its adjoining areas. Moreover, the motive behind the abduction is not clear yet and further investigations in this regard are underway, the police chief added.
Afghan official kidnapped from Chitral
PESHAWAR: Gunmen have kidnapped an Afghan government official as he was visiting his in-laws in Chitral on Sunday evening, police said Monday.
Akhtar Kohistani, an adviser at the ministry of rural development, was whisked away from Chitral town late Sunday, hours after he arrived to see relatives in Pakistan, local police chief Sher Akbar told AFP.
The abduction was the latest in a series since Afghanistan's ambassador-designate to Pakistan, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, was kidnapped in Pakistan in September.
"Unknown people knocked at his door late Sunday, requesting to meet Kohistani," but as soon as he came out he was bundled into a car and taken away, the officer said.
"We are investigating the incident", which happened in a small village in the Darosh district of Chitral region, bordering the troubled Afghan province of Nuristan, he added.
Police were trying to identify the kidnappers, who could have come from Afghanistan. "He may have been taken to Afghanistan," the officer said.
No group has claimed responsibility and no demand has been received so far, police said.--AFP
Akhtar Kohistani, an adviser at the ministry of rural development, was whisked away from Chitral town late Sunday, hours after he arrived to see relatives in Pakistan, local police chief Sher Akbar told AFP.
The abduction was the latest in a series since Afghanistan's ambassador-designate to Pakistan, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, was kidnapped in Pakistan in September.
"Unknown people knocked at his door late Sunday, requesting to meet Kohistani," but as soon as he came out he was bundled into a car and taken away, the officer said.
"We are investigating the incident", which happened in a small village in the Darosh district of Chitral region, bordering the troubled Afghan province of Nuristan, he added.
Police were trying to identify the kidnappers, who could have come from Afghanistan. "He may have been taken to Afghanistan," the officer said.
No group has claimed responsibility and no demand has been received so far, police said.--AFP
Islamabad-Chitral flights opposed
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: The PIA authorities have been urged to operate Peshawar-Chitral flight instead of Islamabad-Chitral because majority of the Chitral-bound passengers came from Peshawar.
The residents said that there was no logic of direct flight from Islamabad to Chitral as the number of passengers using the route was very low.
They said that sometimes the flight was even cancelled for lack of passengers and on numerous occasions only three or four passengers traveled on the said flight. They alleged that the authorities of the national airline did not care for the loss the organisation sustained.
The residents contended that thousands of Chitralis settled in Peshawar and a good number of youth went to the provincial capital to seek employment.
They maintained that a fraction of the population could afford to travel by air from the federal capital to Chitral.
They observed that main objective of the flight from Islamabad to Chitral was to boost tourism but that goal was not achieved.--Dawn
CHITRAL: The PIA authorities have been urged to operate Peshawar-Chitral flight instead of Islamabad-Chitral because majority of the Chitral-bound passengers came from Peshawar.
The residents said that there was no logic of direct flight from Islamabad to Chitral as the number of passengers using the route was very low.
They said that sometimes the flight was even cancelled for lack of passengers and on numerous occasions only three or four passengers traveled on the said flight. They alleged that the authorities of the national airline did not care for the loss the organisation sustained.
The residents contended that thousands of Chitralis settled in Peshawar and a good number of youth went to the provincial capital to seek employment.
They maintained that a fraction of the population could afford to travel by air from the federal capital to Chitral.
They observed that main objective of the flight from Islamabad to Chitral was to boost tourism but that goal was not achieved.--Dawn
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Chitral police claim netting notorious drug peddlers
Report Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: Chitral police claim to have nabbed a number of notorious drug pushers and recovered a huge quantity of charas from them.
Station House Officer of the Chitral police station Inspector Mohammad Khalid said on Sunday that thousands of grams of charas was recovered from the possession of four drug-peddlers identified as Mir Ajab, Yahya Khan, Fazle Khuda and others. He said that the campaign would continue till the city was purged of the drug menace which spoils the younger generation.--Dawn
CHITRAL: Chitral police claim to have nabbed a number of notorious drug pushers and recovered a huge quantity of charas from them.
Station House Officer of the Chitral police station Inspector Mohammad Khalid said on Sunday that thousands of grams of charas was recovered from the possession of four drug-peddlers identified as Mir Ajab, Yahya Khan, Fazle Khuda and others. He said that the campaign would continue till the city was purged of the drug menace which spoils the younger generation.--Dawn
Tehrik-i-Insaf students wing elects office-bearers
President of Tahrik-i-Insaf Chitral chapter Abdul Latif has claimed that the PTI stood for a form of government based on accountability.
Addressing party workers on the occasion of reorganisation of Insaf Students Federation (ISF) here, he said that the party ‘never’ compromised on the basic rights of the people and was ‘struggling’ to rid the people of the excesses of the corrupt politicians.
He said that provision of basic facilities of health and education to the masses was the ‘top’ priority of the PTI. Senior party leaders Mohammad Qasim, Fareedul Haq, and Jinnahuddin also spoke on the occasion.
Those who were elected as office-bearers of the student-wing of the party included Ziaur Rehman president, Faheemullah vice-president, Faheem Mohammad general secretary and Zainuddin finance secretary.-Zahiruddin
Addressing party workers on the occasion of reorganisation of Insaf Students Federation (ISF) here, he said that the party ‘never’ compromised on the basic rights of the people and was ‘struggling’ to rid the people of the excesses of the corrupt politicians.
He said that provision of basic facilities of health and education to the masses was the ‘top’ priority of the PTI. Senior party leaders Mohammad Qasim, Fareedul Haq, and Jinnahuddin also spoke on the occasion.
Those who were elected as office-bearers of the student-wing of the party included Ziaur Rehman president, Faheemullah vice-president, Faheem Mohammad general secretary and Zainuddin finance secretary.-Zahiruddin
Mosaic training programme concludes in Chitral
CHITRAL: A two-month-long mosaic training course concluded at the Community Hall Chitral. Some 27 females from different parts of the district attended the training and learned how to join small pieces of stones, marbles and prepare different decoration pieces.
Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, he stressed on the participants not to waste any opportunity to promote their small business by utilizing their skills. He said women could earn their livelihood without fear and in a respectable way if they continued and promoted the skill learnt during the training.
He said the district government would make efforts to arrange more training programmes to enhance women's skill. He advised them to continue their training on high level and assured them that trainers would be sent to Lahore and other big cities so that after returning to the district they could train more women.
The marble mosaic training workshop for women empowerment through skill development programme was arranged by the Pakistan Stone Development Company in collaboration with Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Chitral.
Ms Munira thanked the tehsil nazim for arranging and conducting the training course. She demanded to extend the course to at least three months to enhance women's skill.
Khadeeja Sardar said due to unavailability of stone and marble pieces, most of their time was wasted. She called for assuring supply of stone and marble pieces before launching of the next training to save their time.--GH Farooqui
Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, he stressed on the participants not to waste any opportunity to promote their small business by utilizing their skills. He said women could earn their livelihood without fear and in a respectable way if they continued and promoted the skill learnt during the training.
He said the district government would make efforts to arrange more training programmes to enhance women's skill. He advised them to continue their training on high level and assured them that trainers would be sent to Lahore and other big cities so that after returning to the district they could train more women.
The marble mosaic training workshop for women empowerment through skill development programme was arranged by the Pakistan Stone Development Company in collaboration with Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Chitral.
Ms Munira thanked the tehsil nazim for arranging and conducting the training course. She demanded to extend the course to at least three months to enhance women's skill.
Khadeeja Sardar said due to unavailability of stone and marble pieces, most of their time was wasted. She called for assuring supply of stone and marble pieces before launching of the next training to save their time.--GH Farooqui
Liquor seized
CHITRAL: The Ayun police arrested a man on the charge of carrying three litres of liquor. The police said on a tip-off they arrested Jay Ardin of Sarojal, Bomborate, who was smuggling the contraband to Chitral.
It is worth mentioning here that local wine (liquor) is openly prepared in three villages of Kalash valley and a majority of Muslims are also involved in its smuggling to Chitral.--GH Farooqui
It is worth mentioning here that local wine (liquor) is openly prepared in three villages of Kalash valley and a majority of Muslims are also involved in its smuggling to Chitral.--GH Farooqui
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Preparations for Lowari tunnel festival reviewed again
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL: Preparations for celebrating the completion of Lowari rail tunnel were again reviewed in a meeting at the Municipal Public Library here on Saturday.
The meeting presided over by Maulana Abdul Rehman, a former MPA from Chitral, was attended by representatives of different political and religious parties and civil society organzations.
Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmed Khan asked all the stakeholders to present their suggestions regarding the preparations and a thanks-giving day on the completion of the tunnel.
The majority of the participants suggested that letters should be issued to Pesh Imams of all mosques for offering thanks-giving prayers. They also suggested for paying rich tributes to those components and persons who played vital roles in construction of the Lowari tunnel. It was also decided unanimously to detail a delegation for offering Dua on the graves of Hayat Muhammad Khan Shaheed, the then senior minister of NWFP, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed, the then premier of Pakistan, and also to meet General (retired) Pervez Musharaf, former president of Pakistan.
It was also proposed to declare a public holiday on completion of the tunnel. They also proposed to arrange seminars at school and college levels to give the message and create awareness among the students regarding the historical background of the tunnel.
It was also decided to issue commendation letters to all those who raised voice for construction of this tunnel to recognize their services and hail their contributions. The meeting also decided to present gifts, according to Chitrali tradition, to the labourers, technicians and technical staff as well as staff of the SAMBU Korean Company to acknowledge their hard work in excavation of the tunnel. They also recommended for hailing the services of Project Director Abdus Samad for keeping keen interest in the project.
Those who spoke on the occasion were Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan, Maulana Abdul Rehman, Yousaf Shahzad, Information Officer, Mukhkamuddin press reporter, Bashir Ahmad, political secretary to Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Salim Khan, Mumtaz Khan, President Drivers Union, Haji Nadir Khan, Ameer JUI Chitral, Saifullah Jan, Librarain, and Saifullah, a representative of the Kalash community.
CHITRAL: Preparations for celebrating the completion of Lowari rail tunnel were again reviewed in a meeting at the Municipal Public Library here on Saturday.
The meeting presided over by Maulana Abdul Rehman, a former MPA from Chitral, was attended by representatives of different political and religious parties and civil society organzations.
Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmed Khan asked all the stakeholders to present their suggestions regarding the preparations and a thanks-giving day on the completion of the tunnel.
The majority of the participants suggested that letters should be issued to Pesh Imams of all mosques for offering thanks-giving prayers. They also suggested for paying rich tributes to those components and persons who played vital roles in construction of the Lowari tunnel. It was also decided unanimously to detail a delegation for offering Dua on the graves of Hayat Muhammad Khan Shaheed, the then senior minister of NWFP, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed, the then premier of Pakistan, and also to meet General (retired) Pervez Musharaf, former president of Pakistan.
It was also proposed to declare a public holiday on completion of the tunnel. They also proposed to arrange seminars at school and college levels to give the message and create awareness among the students regarding the historical background of the tunnel.
It was also decided to issue commendation letters to all those who raised voice for construction of this tunnel to recognize their services and hail their contributions. The meeting also decided to present gifts, according to Chitrali tradition, to the labourers, technicians and technical staff as well as staff of the SAMBU Korean Company to acknowledge their hard work in excavation of the tunnel. They also recommended for hailing the services of Project Director Abdus Samad for keeping keen interest in the project.
Those who spoke on the occasion were Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan, Maulana Abdul Rehman, Yousaf Shahzad, Information Officer, Mukhkamuddin press reporter, Bashir Ahmad, political secretary to Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Salim Khan, Mumtaz Khan, President Drivers Union, Haji Nadir Khan, Ameer JUI Chitral, Saifullah Jan, Librarain, and Saifullah, a representative of the Kalash community.
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Awesome and rugged
Beauty of Chitral
Kishmanja, a beautiful village in Yarkhun valley
Lush green
DIZG: threatened by floods
The legendary village of Ayun in Chitral
On way to Bumburet
Dizg, Yarkhun
About Me
- Zar Alam Khan Razakhel
- Village Dizg, Yarkhun valley, Chitral, Pakistan
- I blog at http://chitraltoday.net (ChitralToday) about Chitral, its people, culture, traditions and issues. I have been writing about Chitral since 2000. Chitral is a scenic valley in the extreme north-west of Pakistan.