CHITRAL: Establishment of polytechnic institute in the district remains a dream for another year as the building is unlikely to be completed by June due to lack of funds, sources in the works and services department told this correspondent.
They said that the scheme was short of Rs6 million for which the finance department had been approached which was yet to be entertained. The estimated cost of the building was Rs78.530 million and work on it had started three years ago. Its stipulated time of completion was June 2008 but it was delayed by one year due to the slow pace of work.
The people of Chitral had attached importance to the establishment of the polytechnic institute as there was no institution for technical education in the district.
A resident said that Chitral was the only district in the province having no polytechnic institute. After passing matriculation examination, the students had to go to other neighbouring districts to seek admission in classes of associate engineering but very few seats were made available to them.
He said that classes were to be commenced in the polytechnic institute right from the current year but it could not be possible due to negligence of the works and services department.
Sources in the finance department said that due to slow progress in the construction work, some of its funds were diverted to another district which caused shortage of funds.
The residents have demanded of the government to release funds to ensure completion of the work before June so that classes could be started during the current academic year.--Zahiruddin
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Bodies of nine Chitral Scouts personnel arrive in Chitral
Report Bashir Hussain Azad
CHITRAL. The whole of Chitral was saddended when the bodies of nine Chitral Scouts personnel killed by militants in Lower Dir arrived here in Army helicopters on Monday.
Those who embraced martyrdom and whose bodies arrived here were: Naib Subaidar Nasirullah from Barinis, Sepoy Amanullah, Soweer, Drosh; Sher Nawaz, Rayeen, Torkow; Bahadur Shah, Warkup, Turkow; Ajayeeb Khan, Moomi, Lotkow; Bashir Ahmed, Reshun; Sher Azam, Sinlasht, Bashiruddin, Verkhop, Torkhow, and Zakir Khan.
The bodies were first taken to the Headquarters of Chitral Scouts in the city and later sent to their native villages in ambulances, and laid to rest with full military honour.
Meanwhile, two personnel were injured and hospitalized in Dir area. they were Sirajuddin from Torkhown and Rehmat Khan of Barenis.
CHITRAL. The whole of Chitral was saddended when the bodies of nine Chitral Scouts personnel killed by militants in Lower Dir arrived here in Army helicopters on Monday.
Those who embraced martyrdom and whose bodies arrived here were: Naib Subaidar Nasirullah from Barinis, Sepoy Amanullah, Soweer, Drosh; Sher Nawaz, Rayeen, Torkow; Bahadur Shah, Warkup, Turkow; Ajayeeb Khan, Moomi, Lotkow; Bashir Ahmed, Reshun; Sher Azam, Sinlasht, Bashiruddin, Verkhop, Torkhow, and Zakir Khan.
The bodies were first taken to the Headquarters of Chitral Scouts in the city and later sent to their native villages in ambulances, and laid to rest with full military honour.
Meanwhile, two personnel were injured and hospitalized in Dir area. they were Sirajuddin from Torkhown and Rehmat Khan of Barenis.
Another good news for Chitral - Letter
The election MNA Shahzada Muhiuddin as chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on Kashmir affairs and Northern Area is another good news for the people of Chitral. This whole year has been favourable for Chitral, because we have already a provincial minister after 39 years.
It is a fact that Chitral and Northern Areas have the historical and traditional links since time immorial. We have common languages, traditions and the people in both sides face same kind of problems, our honorable MNA has a great vision and insight about the problems of both the areas. The election of Mohiuddin as a chairman of the important committee shows the appropriate decision in a suitable time. We the people of Chitral hope that our MNA will not lose this opportunity to serve the people of our area by improving the communication links, road network and people-to-people contacts. These areas have great potentials in the field of tourism and our MNA has the experience in the field of tourism as well, and it is hoped that he will struggle to serve his area to take the locality out of the deep abyss of backwardness. For the first time our district ahs got two high-profile posts in the government and we hope their efforts will bear fruits very soon. These leaders now should come out of the politics of confrontation and persue the greater politics of reconciliation for the development and betterment of our area as well as our beloved country.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
It is a fact that Chitral and Northern Areas have the historical and traditional links since time immorial. We have common languages, traditions and the people in both sides face same kind of problems, our honorable MNA has a great vision and insight about the problems of both the areas. The election of Mohiuddin as a chairman of the important committee shows the appropriate decision in a suitable time. We the people of Chitral hope that our MNA will not lose this opportunity to serve the people of our area by improving the communication links, road network and people-to-people contacts. These areas have great potentials in the field of tourism and our MNA has the experience in the field of tourism as well, and it is hoped that he will struggle to serve his area to take the locality out of the deep abyss of backwardness. For the first time our district ahs got two high-profile posts in the government and we hope their efforts will bear fruits very soon. These leaders now should come out of the politics of confrontation and persue the greater politics of reconciliation for the development and betterment of our area as well as our beloved country.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Pay raise: Making police Mughal-e-Azam
I welcome 100% increase in the pay of Police Jawans and officers in NWFP and other Provinces and at the same time, I raise a question on the police stations in NWFP and other provinces. Problems of the masses do not relate to the police pay and allowances, our problems relate to police culture in the police station. An SHO getting 16000/= rupees pay per month was showing the attitude of Hitler and Pharoh in police stations. Now an SHO getting 32000/= rupees pay per month will become “ Moghal-e-Azam” An ordinary citizen will never dare lodge an FIR in the police station or register a complaint in the presence of the “ Moghal-e-Azam” . More over, former SHO used to demand minimum Rs 15000/= for listening to a complaint. Now the better privileged SHO will demand double of that amount to listen to the complaint of an ordinary person.
I suggest that curriculum of the police training schools may also be changed and methods of instruction in police academies may also be revised so that there is some sort of difference between a police and a “Dracola”. Cent percent increase in pay should not be instrumental to increase the rate of bribes up to 100% in future.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
_________________________________________________________________
I suggest that curriculum of the police training schools may also be changed and methods of instruction in police academies may also be revised so that there is some sort of difference between a police and a “Dracola”. Cent percent increase in pay should not be instrumental to increase the rate of bribes up to 100% in future.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
_________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mohiuddin made chairman NA Kashmir committee
ISLAMABAD: MNA from Chitral Shahzada Mohiuddin was on Thursday appointed chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. He will have the status equal to a federal minisiter.
The government decision is subsequent to the MNA's support to the ruling Pakistan People's Party which he announced before the presidential election. Earlier, the distribution of the Benazir Income Support Programme cards in Chitral was also entrusted to him.
The government decision is subsequent to the MNA's support to the ruling Pakistan People's Party which he announced before the presidential election. Earlier, the distribution of the Benazir Income Support Programme cards in Chitral was also entrusted to him.
PPP veterans demand dissolution of district cabinet
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL: A convention of Pakistan People's Party senior workers (pioneers) was held at Jilani house presided over by Gul Nawaz Khaki.
Hundreds of party workers especially senior members attended the convention. The participants through a unanimous resolution demanded dissolution of the district cabinet of the PPP and selection of an interim cabinet. The participants also extended a previous resolution in which they had expressed no-trust in the district cabinet. The senior workers strongly criticized the office-bearers of the present cabinet and alleged that they had committed 'treachery' which resulted in the defeat of PPP candidate in the 2008 elections. Senior workers of PPP who attended the convention from very far flung areas suggested to save the party from division in different groups and to unite all workers and members to strengthen it. They said the cabinet members under a conspiracy had recommended the name of a non-popular person for the ticket of National Assembly seat who was defeated badly. They stressed upon the workers to detail a delegation and to meet provincial minister Saleem Khan for uniting the party workers.
The speakers also condemned some of the party workers who cast their votes in favor of an opposition candidate. Extending the previous resolution of 19th April, they felicitated provincial President Syed Zahir Ali Shah and expressed full confidence in his leadership. They had criticized Najmuddin Khan for selecting his near and dears ones as party leader; as a result the party was divided in groups and faced great loss. They also announced that anyone nominate by Najmuddin Khan would be rejected in future. Those who spoke on the occasion were Shahzada Nisar Jilani, Subhanud Din, M. Hassan, Haji Muhammad, Haji Abdul Rehman, Engineer Taimour Shah, H. Haider, Burhan Shah Advocate, Babu Muhammad, Zahir Shah, Haji Karam Elahi and Gul Nawaz Khaki.
A large number of senior workers of PPP attended the convention. They announced that next meeting would be held on 5th May to decide the future plan.
CHITRAL: A convention of Pakistan People's Party senior workers (pioneers) was held at Jilani house presided over by Gul Nawaz Khaki.
Hundreds of party workers especially senior members attended the convention. The participants through a unanimous resolution demanded dissolution of the district cabinet of the PPP and selection of an interim cabinet. The participants also extended a previous resolution in which they had expressed no-trust in the district cabinet. The senior workers strongly criticized the office-bearers of the present cabinet and alleged that they had committed 'treachery' which resulted in the defeat of PPP candidate in the 2008 elections. Senior workers of PPP who attended the convention from very far flung areas suggested to save the party from division in different groups and to unite all workers and members to strengthen it. They said the cabinet members under a conspiracy had recommended the name of a non-popular person for the ticket of National Assembly seat who was defeated badly. They stressed upon the workers to detail a delegation and to meet provincial minister Saleem Khan for uniting the party workers.
The speakers also condemned some of the party workers who cast their votes in favor of an opposition candidate. Extending the previous resolution of 19th April, they felicitated provincial President Syed Zahir Ali Shah and expressed full confidence in his leadership. They had criticized Najmuddin Khan for selecting his near and dears ones as party leader; as a result the party was divided in groups and faced great loss. They also announced that anyone nominate by Najmuddin Khan would be rejected in future. Those who spoke on the occasion were Shahzada Nisar Jilani, Subhanud Din, M. Hassan, Haji Muhammad, Haji Abdul Rehman, Engineer Taimour Shah, H. Haider, Burhan Shah Advocate, Babu Muhammad, Zahir Shah, Haji Karam Elahi and Gul Nawaz Khaki.
A large number of senior workers of PPP attended the convention. They announced that next meeting would be held on 5th May to decide the future plan.
Agriculture sector needs to be rediscovered
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: The agriculture sector needs designing a comprehensive, cost-effective and responsive system, incorporating soil conservation techniques and extending the area under-cultivation to make the sector sustainable and lucrative.
Agricultural expert Nauroze Wali told this scribe here on Wednesday that although the agriculture was occupation of major portion of the population but the income accrued from it was very low to support families without supplementing other occupations.
He said that only three per cent of the total area of the district was cultivable while the rest of it contained mountains, forests, glaciers, snow and rocks. He said that with the rapid increase in population, the area under-cultivation went on shrinking as the lands were used for construction purposes.
“It is a pity that the sector engages more than sixty per cent of the manpower but it fulfils less than fifty per cent of their needs keeping the farmers needy and indigent for ever,” he said. Although, mechanised farming had adopted in all parts of the district for the last two decades but the methods of farming and approach for crop choice was still obsolete, he said.
He said that the land was not suitable for wheat crop but it was grown on more than 99 per cent area under-cultivation without caring its output. He said that the district could be divided into many zones due to its enormous size and each zone was suitable for certain crops. When persuaded by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), the farmers of Garam Chashma valley switched over to potato crop which fetched them lucrative income.
Mr Wali appreciated the efforts of the AKRSP for promoting fruit and vegetable in the area and imparting training to the women for the first time to generate income. The agriculture section raised nurseries of fruit trees and distributed the saplings of the improved qualities of apricot, apple and pear among the farmers, he said. He said that some valleys were known for the superb quality of local species of apple and pear and had great potential to change the very destiny of the farmers.
Regarding the livestock and poultry, he termed the situation of farmers more pitiable and said that the sector was hit by fodder shortage and vulnerability to diseases.
Meanwhile, a number of farmers said that apart from the agriculture department of the province, some other government-run organisations were also launched here for the promotion of agriculture, but they failed miserably. They described the names of on farm water management programme, project for horticulture promotion and the agriculture section of Chitral Area Development Project.
They said that the irrigation department miserably failed to complete more than ten projects of irrigation channels to bring more land under cultivation. They said that thousands of hectares of arid land could be brought under cultivation to increase the agricultural produce.
They said that agriculture could be transformed into a full-time profession if the potential was fully exploited on scientific basis with earnestness of the government. They said that the Lowari tunnel was nearly completion providing all-weather road to the district and it would increase the profitability of Chitral’s horticulture sector.--Dawn
Appointment of female EDO chitral hailed
CHITRAL: Lady Councillor Zulaikha Rahim has appreciated the appointment of Gulsambar Begum as executive district officer education in Chitral.
In a press statement issued here on Wednesday, she expressed the hope that the officer was well-conversant with the problems of education of the district and she would prove her mettle by raising the standard of education. She said that sector of female education needed special attention and the newly appointed EDO would use her best abilities in this regard.--Zahiruddin
Earth day observed in Chitral
CHITRAL: To create public awareness about importance of earth and conservation of natural resources, the Program for Mountain Area Conservation (PMAC), Ministry of Environment, held an event at Garam Chashma in collaboration with teh Conservation Management Committee (CMC) and village conservation committees (VCC). In this connection, a walk comprising students of different schools was also held. the participants carrying banners inscribed with messages to protect the earth walked through different bazaars and ended at GHS Garam Chashma. A function was also held in Government Higher Secondary School Garam Chashma where Amir Wali Khan, President CMC, was chief guest while the ceremony was presided over by Khuda Panah, Principal of this school. Atta Elahi, education officer of PMAC, briefed the participants. He said we should protect the earth and save it from pollution as it was like our mother.--GH Farooqui
Khowar program - Letter 2
On 21st April, the people of Chitral throughout the country and abroad with great joy and excitement watched Khyber news telecast in Khowar. Before 5pm people switched their digital devices to Khyber News, because in Chitral and Gilgit the channel is no longer available on Asia Sat-3, which is very popular among viewers.The first maiden attempt was well thought and well tailored attempt. I have a piece of suggestion for Khyber News. I propose that the 60-minute slat should be divided into four segments of equal timings i.e. 15 minutes each for news with current affairs corner, personality of the week and topic for the week.It would be convenient of the channel is made available on Asia Sat-3 once again.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Khowar program - Letter 1
Hats off to the Khyber News initiative on Hindko and Khowar news in its regular telecast. After first Hindko news last week, Chitrali programme of news and views was telecast on Tuesday, 21st April 2009, at 5pm. Television is a powerful media and more than one million viewers of Khowar in Chitral, Gilgit and other parts of the Country and abroad now have access to electronic media through the Khyber news. I do congratulate the management of Khyber news for this initiative. I do hope the channel will include more informative segments like “ hot topic of the day” , or “ interesting conversation of the day” etc. I suggest only 20 minute for each segment. It would be convenient if the channel is linked up to Asia sat-3.
Dr. Inayat Ullah Faizi
Chitral.
50 small powerhouses for Chitral promised
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: District Nazim Maghfirat Shah has said that the federal minister for science and technology had assured the district government of construction of over 50 small hydro-power stations in Chitral.
Led by the district nazim, a team of the district government called on Minister Azam Swati in Islamabad on Wednesday to apprise him of the hydro-power potentials in the district and seek help of the ministry in this regard.
Talking to Dawn by telephone, the district nazim said that the minister expressed deep interest in the power potential of the district and accepted the invitation of the team to visit Chitral with a technical team to observe the sites.
He said that the delegation of the district government consisted of district Naib Nazim Sultan Shah, member district council Abdul Qayum Baig and others. He said that the district government had approached all relevant quarters to exploit the hydro-power potentials of the district from the very beginning.
He said that the fifty sites had a generation capacity of more than 500 kilowatts each and would provide cheaper electricity to the locals which would decrease burden on the forests. He said that the forests were depleting fast as the people depend on it to secure firewood in the absence of alternate sources.--Dawn
CHITRAL: The agriculture sector needs designing a comprehensive, cost-effective and responsive system, incorporating soil conservation techniques and extending the area under-cultivation to make the sector sustainable and lucrative.
Agricultural expert Nauroze Wali told this scribe here on Wednesday that although the agriculture was occupation of major portion of the population but the income accrued from it was very low to support families without supplementing other occupations.
He said that only three per cent of the total area of the district was cultivable while the rest of it contained mountains, forests, glaciers, snow and rocks. He said that with the rapid increase in population, the area under-cultivation went on shrinking as the lands were used for construction purposes.
“It is a pity that the sector engages more than sixty per cent of the manpower but it fulfils less than fifty per cent of their needs keeping the farmers needy and indigent for ever,” he said. Although, mechanised farming had adopted in all parts of the district for the last two decades but the methods of farming and approach for crop choice was still obsolete, he said.
He said that the land was not suitable for wheat crop but it was grown on more than 99 per cent area under-cultivation without caring its output. He said that the district could be divided into many zones due to its enormous size and each zone was suitable for certain crops. When persuaded by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), the farmers of Garam Chashma valley switched over to potato crop which fetched them lucrative income.
Mr Wali appreciated the efforts of the AKRSP for promoting fruit and vegetable in the area and imparting training to the women for the first time to generate income. The agriculture section raised nurseries of fruit trees and distributed the saplings of the improved qualities of apricot, apple and pear among the farmers, he said. He said that some valleys were known for the superb quality of local species of apple and pear and had great potential to change the very destiny of the farmers.
Regarding the livestock and poultry, he termed the situation of farmers more pitiable and said that the sector was hit by fodder shortage and vulnerability to diseases.
Meanwhile, a number of farmers said that apart from the agriculture department of the province, some other government-run organisations were also launched here for the promotion of agriculture, but they failed miserably. They described the names of on farm water management programme, project for horticulture promotion and the agriculture section of Chitral Area Development Project.
They said that the irrigation department miserably failed to complete more than ten projects of irrigation channels to bring more land under cultivation. They said that thousands of hectares of arid land could be brought under cultivation to increase the agricultural produce.
They said that agriculture could be transformed into a full-time profession if the potential was fully exploited on scientific basis with earnestness of the government. They said that the Lowari tunnel was nearly completion providing all-weather road to the district and it would increase the profitability of Chitral’s horticulture sector.--Dawn
Appointment of female EDO chitral hailed
CHITRAL: Lady Councillor Zulaikha Rahim has appreciated the appointment of Gulsambar Begum as executive district officer education in Chitral.
In a press statement issued here on Wednesday, she expressed the hope that the officer was well-conversant with the problems of education of the district and she would prove her mettle by raising the standard of education. She said that sector of female education needed special attention and the newly appointed EDO would use her best abilities in this regard.--Zahiruddin
Earth day observed in Chitral
CHITRAL: To create public awareness about importance of earth and conservation of natural resources, the Program for Mountain Area Conservation (PMAC), Ministry of Environment, held an event at Garam Chashma in collaboration with teh Conservation Management Committee (CMC) and village conservation committees (VCC). In this connection, a walk comprising students of different schools was also held. the participants carrying banners inscribed with messages to protect the earth walked through different bazaars and ended at GHS Garam Chashma. A function was also held in Government Higher Secondary School Garam Chashma where Amir Wali Khan, President CMC, was chief guest while the ceremony was presided over by Khuda Panah, Principal of this school. Atta Elahi, education officer of PMAC, briefed the participants. He said we should protect the earth and save it from pollution as it was like our mother.--GH Farooqui
Khowar program - Letter 2
On 21st April, the people of Chitral throughout the country and abroad with great joy and excitement watched Khyber news telecast in Khowar. Before 5pm people switched their digital devices to Khyber News, because in Chitral and Gilgit the channel is no longer available on Asia Sat-3, which is very popular among viewers.The first maiden attempt was well thought and well tailored attempt. I have a piece of suggestion for Khyber News. I propose that the 60-minute slat should be divided into four segments of equal timings i.e. 15 minutes each for news with current affairs corner, personality of the week and topic for the week.It would be convenient of the channel is made available on Asia Sat-3 once again.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Khowar program - Letter 1
Hats off to the Khyber News initiative on Hindko and Khowar news in its regular telecast. After first Hindko news last week, Chitrali programme of news and views was telecast on Tuesday, 21st April 2009, at 5pm. Television is a powerful media and more than one million viewers of Khowar in Chitral, Gilgit and other parts of the Country and abroad now have access to electronic media through the Khyber news. I do congratulate the management of Khyber news for this initiative. I do hope the channel will include more informative segments like “ hot topic of the day” , or “ interesting conversation of the day” etc. I suggest only 20 minute for each segment. It would be convenient if the channel is linked up to Asia sat-3.
Dr. Inayat Ullah Faizi
Chitral.
50 small powerhouses for Chitral promised
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: District Nazim Maghfirat Shah has said that the federal minister for science and technology had assured the district government of construction of over 50 small hydro-power stations in Chitral.
Led by the district nazim, a team of the district government called on Minister Azam Swati in Islamabad on Wednesday to apprise him of the hydro-power potentials in the district and seek help of the ministry in this regard.
Talking to Dawn by telephone, the district nazim said that the minister expressed deep interest in the power potential of the district and accepted the invitation of the team to visit Chitral with a technical team to observe the sites.
He said that the delegation of the district government consisted of district Naib Nazim Sultan Shah, member district council Abdul Qayum Baig and others. He said that the district government had approached all relevant quarters to exploit the hydro-power potentials of the district from the very beginning.
He said that the fifty sites had a generation capacity of more than 500 kilowatts each and would provide cheaper electricity to the locals which would decrease burden on the forests. He said that the forests were depleting fast as the people depend on it to secure firewood in the absence of alternate sources.--Dawn
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Conspiracy to shut down Chitral Radio
Report Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: The transmissions of local station of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation have been suspended for the last four days owing to loadshedding and residents of the district have termed it a conspiracy to close down Chitral radio station permanently.
An official of the radio station told this correspondent on Tuesday that they had received instructions from the headquarters of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation not to use the diesel generators during loadshedding hours. He said that the station broadcast programmes of six hours duration daily in the evening and it coincided with the power loadshedding.
He said that the radio station was electrified by two generators which were run simultaneously. He denied the speculations of the public that the station was being closed down saying that it was being done to save the high costs of diesel. He said that transmissions would be started when electricity was supplied by Pesco.
He said that the station had recently been upgraded by the installation of FM transmitters and now its transmissions were received in a radius of more than 50 kilometres while previously it were confined to only 10 kilometres.
Another official of the radio station said that the problem of power loadshedding and instructions about not using generators had left more than 40,000 listeners in Chitral with no other option but to hear the transmissions of Radio Kabul, All India Radio and Voice of America.
“The Chitral station of Radio Pakistan has more than 40,000 listeners as we receive more than 1000 letters per month besides telephone calls and emails,” he added. He said that residents of Chitral could not hear the transmissions of Peshawar and Islamabad stations, so they were totally depended on local radio station.
He regretted that contrary to Islamabad and Peshawar stations of Radio Pakistan, the transmissions of All India Radio, Voice of America and Radio Kabul could be easily heard in the area.
“If we stop airing our programmes, people will have no other choice but to opt for these radios,” he said. He added that they aired programmes in local Khowar language which were very popular among the locals. “Listeners are upset as they cannot hear the Khowar programmes. They call us and show concerns over the suspension of Khowar programmes,” he added.
He was of the view that people would listen to foreign radio or a local FM radio, which broadcast only Indian songs, if they stopped transmissions. “A newly established FM radio broadcasts nothing except Indian songs. If we stop transmissions people will listen Indian songs and foreign radios, which is dangerous for the sense of patriotism,” he added.
The president of Comperes Association of the station, Khurshid Ahmed, alleged that the transmissions were being closed permanently on the pretext of loadshedding.
In a press statement issued here on Tuesday, he said that local radio was not only a source of entertainment and current affairs but it also preserved the local culture, language and literature. The closing down of Chitral radio station would inflict a great harm on the residents of the district. He said that the people of Chitral very fondly tuned their radio sets to the local station as there was no other source of entertainment in the area. He demanded of prime minister and information minister to order the authorities concerned to resume the transmissions of Chitral radio station.--Dawn
CHITRAL: The transmissions of local station of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation have been suspended for the last four days owing to loadshedding and residents of the district have termed it a conspiracy to close down Chitral radio station permanently.
An official of the radio station told this correspondent on Tuesday that they had received instructions from the headquarters of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation not to use the diesel generators during loadshedding hours. He said that the station broadcast programmes of six hours duration daily in the evening and it coincided with the power loadshedding.
He said that the radio station was electrified by two generators which were run simultaneously. He denied the speculations of the public that the station was being closed down saying that it was being done to save the high costs of diesel. He said that transmissions would be started when electricity was supplied by Pesco.
He said that the station had recently been upgraded by the installation of FM transmitters and now its transmissions were received in a radius of more than 50 kilometres while previously it were confined to only 10 kilometres.
Another official of the radio station said that the problem of power loadshedding and instructions about not using generators had left more than 40,000 listeners in Chitral with no other option but to hear the transmissions of Radio Kabul, All India Radio and Voice of America.
“The Chitral station of Radio Pakistan has more than 40,000 listeners as we receive more than 1000 letters per month besides telephone calls and emails,” he added. He said that residents of Chitral could not hear the transmissions of Peshawar and Islamabad stations, so they were totally depended on local radio station.
He regretted that contrary to Islamabad and Peshawar stations of Radio Pakistan, the transmissions of All India Radio, Voice of America and Radio Kabul could be easily heard in the area.
“If we stop airing our programmes, people will have no other choice but to opt for these radios,” he said. He added that they aired programmes in local Khowar language which were very popular among the locals. “Listeners are upset as they cannot hear the Khowar programmes. They call us and show concerns over the suspension of Khowar programmes,” he added.
He was of the view that people would listen to foreign radio or a local FM radio, which broadcast only Indian songs, if they stopped transmissions. “A newly established FM radio broadcasts nothing except Indian songs. If we stop transmissions people will listen Indian songs and foreign radios, which is dangerous for the sense of patriotism,” he added.
The president of Comperes Association of the station, Khurshid Ahmed, alleged that the transmissions were being closed permanently on the pretext of loadshedding.
In a press statement issued here on Tuesday, he said that local radio was not only a source of entertainment and current affairs but it also preserved the local culture, language and literature. The closing down of Chitral radio station would inflict a great harm on the residents of the district. He said that the people of Chitral very fondly tuned their radio sets to the local station as there was no other source of entertainment in the area. He demanded of prime minister and information minister to order the authorities concerned to resume the transmissions of Chitral radio station.--Dawn
Transparency in stipends for gril students urged
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: Residents of Chitral have demanded of the government to ensure transparency in disbursement of stipends to the female students studying in government-run schools.
Talking to Dawn here on Tuesday, a number of residents said that strict vigilance should be kept over officials responsible for disbursing the amount among the students. They said that committees at union council level should be constituted to monitor the process.
They proposed that the stipend money must be delivered in the presence of committee members so that no one might be able to cheat the students. They hailed the government for taking such a step, saying, this would enable the poor students to carry on their studies and would also effectively check the dropout rate.
The residents said that although the enrolment rate of female students at primary level was very high but the dropout rate was also alarming because of poverty in the remote valleys of Chitral.
MAN DIES: Yet another person lost his life while crossing the Lowari Top after officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) denied him permission to pass through the Lowari tunnel, sources said.
The deceased, Niamatur Rehman, was a resident of Sheshi Koh valley and was serving in the Frontier Constabulary and was going back to his place of posting in Darra Adamkhel.
The Chitral police recovered his body from under the avalanche and handed over to his relatives.
During the current winter season, more than fifteen persons have died in their desperate attempt to cross the snow-clad Lowari Top located at an altitude of 10,230 feet above the sea level.
The residents have condemned the incidents in which precious human lives were lost and held the federal government responsible for the casualties by not allowing the passengers to pass through the tunnel.--Dawn
CHITRAL: Residents of Chitral have demanded of the government to ensure transparency in disbursement of stipends to the female students studying in government-run schools.
Talking to Dawn here on Tuesday, a number of residents said that strict vigilance should be kept over officials responsible for disbursing the amount among the students. They said that committees at union council level should be constituted to monitor the process.
They proposed that the stipend money must be delivered in the presence of committee members so that no one might be able to cheat the students. They hailed the government for taking such a step, saying, this would enable the poor students to carry on their studies and would also effectively check the dropout rate.
The residents said that although the enrolment rate of female students at primary level was very high but the dropout rate was also alarming because of poverty in the remote valleys of Chitral.
MAN DIES: Yet another person lost his life while crossing the Lowari Top after officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) denied him permission to pass through the Lowari tunnel, sources said.
The deceased, Niamatur Rehman, was a resident of Sheshi Koh valley and was serving in the Frontier Constabulary and was going back to his place of posting in Darra Adamkhel.
The Chitral police recovered his body from under the avalanche and handed over to his relatives.
During the current winter season, more than fifteen persons have died in their desperate attempt to cross the snow-clad Lowari Top located at an altitude of 10,230 feet above the sea level.
The residents have condemned the incidents in which precious human lives were lost and held the federal government responsible for the casualties by not allowing the passengers to pass through the tunnel.--Dawn
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
AVT Khyber launches weekly Khowar programme
Chitral Update Report
ISLAMABAD: A weekly Khowar programme went on air for the first time on Pushto AVT Khyber TV channel on Tuesday afternoon.
The one-hourly programme will be telecast on every Tuesday at 5pm.
The programme consisted of a ten-minute news bulletin about Chitral and an interview of former Chitrali bureaucrat Mohammad Wali Khan. The interview was conducted by Rehmat Aziz, a Chitrali journalist, poet and author, while Zhanoyar Khan presented the news.
Chitralis have thanked Chief Executive Khyber TV Kamran Hamid Raja for allocating one hour weekly air time for the Khowar programme and said this would play an important role in promotion of Chitrali language and culture. They said what the government could not do in decades for giving air time to Chitral, the Khyber TV management has done it within a short period of time.
Women urged to adopt bee farming as profession
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: In continuation of its efforts to provide economic emancipation to the womenfolk in Chitral, the Regional Women Empowerment Project (RWEP) of the AKRSP has included honey beekeeping in its programme.
This was stated by project manager of the RWEP Imtiaz Ahmed while speaking at the concluding ceremony of a three-day workshop on ‘honey beekeeping as profession for women’ held here on Monday. He said that the organisation was looking for new opportunities to provide employment to the women.
He said that the workshop was arranged for the women of lower parts of Chitral. They were imparted extensive practical training, he said, adding that necessary gadgets and paraphernalia would also be provided to the participants to enable them to start the hobby in light of the training.
Mr Ahmed said that the RWEP would continue to provide technical assistance to the women at their doorsteps to enable them to adopt the honey beekeeping as a full-time profession to earn livelihood for their families and raise their standard of life.
He said that a co-sponsor of the workshop, Hashoo Foundation had pledged to market their products abroad which would bring them a lucrative income. The women would thus be linked to the national market and would not be vulnerable to the middleman who exploited them in the cottage industry, he added.
He was of the view that due to the abundance of flowering plants in the area and the long span of the blossoming period from the month of April through September, the local honey was in great demand in the market due to its special characteristics.
The RWEP official said that another co-sponsor of the workshop was WWF which provided technical resource persons who had rich experience in the field which they transmitted to the women in comprehensible language. He said that such workshops were scheduled to be arranged in upper parts of the district.
He said that training workshop on poultry farming had recently been arranged for the women of upper Chitral at Booni. He said that political empowerment of women was not possible without their economic emancipation.--Dawn
Monday, April 20, 2009
Power project; ADB teams arrives in Chitral to prepare feasibility report
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: A team of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has arrived in Chitral to carry out feasibility study of two hydropower projects in the district, sources said on Sunday.
In a brief presentation to District Nazim Maghfirat Shah, the team members said that one of the two projects was located at Sin near Chitral city and the other at Zhondoli Kushum in upper Chitral.
The ADB team members said that the project at Sin had a design capacity of 127MW and involved a 10km tunnel while that of Kushum had 102MW generation capacity and required an 8.5km long tunnel. They told the district nazim that a comprehensive study of various parameters of the area including its geophysical study would be carried out before embarking upon the projects.
The district nazim asked the ADB team members to make the projects multi-purpose and provide irrigation water to the area by raising the head of the tunnels. He proposed that the altitudes of the tunnel at Terich valley should be increased which would not only shorten the length of the tunnel but also bring thousands of acres of arid land under cultivation. This would lead to economic prosperity in the area, he said.--Dawn
CHITRAL: A team of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has arrived in Chitral to carry out feasibility study of two hydropower projects in the district, sources said on Sunday.
In a brief presentation to District Nazim Maghfirat Shah, the team members said that one of the two projects was located at Sin near Chitral city and the other at Zhondoli Kushum in upper Chitral.
The ADB team members said that the project at Sin had a design capacity of 127MW and involved a 10km tunnel while that of Kushum had 102MW generation capacity and required an 8.5km long tunnel. They told the district nazim that a comprehensive study of various parameters of the area including its geophysical study would be carried out before embarking upon the projects.
The district nazim asked the ADB team members to make the projects multi-purpose and provide irrigation water to the area by raising the head of the tunnels. He proposed that the altitudes of the tunnel at Terich valley should be increased which would not only shorten the length of the tunnel but also bring thousands of acres of arid land under cultivation. This would lead to economic prosperity in the area, he said.--Dawn
MPA, Nazim fight over name plaques
CHITRAL: The district nazim, Maghfirat Shah, and MPA Ghulam Mohammad have run into a row over installation of plaques of their names to inaugurate a road project in Mulkhow area of upper Chitral, according to residents.
They said that former MPA from Chitral-II constituency, Maulana Mohammad Jahangir had allocated funds for the blacktopping of one kilometer road in Muzhgole but the work started in August last when the assembly had already been dissolved. The locals said that the work was inaugurated by the district nazim Maghfirat Shah by unveiling plaque inscribed with his name at Muzhgole bridge.
They added that they were astonished to see that the local MPA Ghulam Mohammad of PML-Q inaugurated it for the second time and replaced the plaque of the district nazim with his name.
The residents regretted that the work on the road was still going on at snail’s pace due to delaying tactics by the contractor but neither the district nazim nor the MPA had taken notice of it.--Zahiruddin
They said that former MPA from Chitral-II constituency, Maulana Mohammad Jahangir had allocated funds for the blacktopping of one kilometer road in Muzhgole but the work started in August last when the assembly had already been dissolved. The locals said that the work was inaugurated by the district nazim Maghfirat Shah by unveiling plaque inscribed with his name at Muzhgole bridge.
They added that they were astonished to see that the local MPA Ghulam Mohammad of PML-Q inaugurated it for the second time and replaced the plaque of the district nazim with his name.
The residents regretted that the work on the road was still going on at snail’s pace due to delaying tactics by the contractor but neither the district nazim nor the MPA had taken notice of it.--Zahiruddin
Sports Complex for Ayun in Chitral announced
CHITRAL: Provincial Minister Salim Khan has announced to construct a sports complex at Ayun which will be named after slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto.
Addressing public gatherings at different places at Ayun, he said the provincial government has allocated Rs10 million for uplift projects in Kalash valleys. The minsiters claimed that all projects initiated by the present government had been completed in the district.
Meanwhile, the minister also announced an monthly scholarship of Rs200 for girl students of remote villages in Chitral.
He said a grant of Rs10 million had already been announced in this regard. He said the scholarship would be given only to students in VI to matric.--APP
Addressing public gatherings at different places at Ayun, he said the provincial government has allocated Rs10 million for uplift projects in Kalash valleys. The minsiters claimed that all projects initiated by the present government had been completed in the district.
Meanwhile, the minister also announced an monthly scholarship of Rs200 for girl students of remote villages in Chitral.
He said a grant of Rs10 million had already been announced in this regard. He said the scholarship would be given only to students in VI to matric.--APP
Boy drowns in Chitral village
CHITRAL: A schoolboy, Naushad Ali of Jughoor, drowned into the the Chitral river on Sunday.
The boy was fishing along the river when he slipped into the water. The body of the victim had not been retrieved till filing of this report.--CT Report
The boy was fishing along the river when he slipped into the water. The body of the victim had not been retrieved till filing of this report.--CT Report
Benazir football tournament begins in Ayun
CHITRAL: The first Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Memorial District Football Tournament has started at Ayun. Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan was chief guest on the occasion who kicked the ball to declare the event open.
Some 50 football teams are participating in the tournament which has been organized by Wajidan Welfare Society, Toryandeh, Ayun.
Talking to this scribe, Murtaza Ali, Chairman of the society, said the main objective of the tournament was to save the young generation from drug abuse.
The first match was played between Hon and Broz teams in which the latter won by three to one goalsl. The chief guest announced Rs1,0000 for the organizing committee.--GH Farooqui
Some 50 football teams are participating in the tournament which has been organized by Wajidan Welfare Society, Toryandeh, Ayun.
Talking to this scribe, Murtaza Ali, Chairman of the society, said the main objective of the tournament was to save the young generation from drug abuse.
The first match was played between Hon and Broz teams in which the latter won by three to one goalsl. The chief guest announced Rs1,0000 for the organizing committee.--GH Farooqui
Sunday, April 19, 2009
People getting dirty wheat in upper Chitral
CHITRAL: Substandard wheat is being provided to the people in the Charun, Kurag and Charun Oveer villages of upper Chitral, said Mohammad Musa, a social worker.
He added that the wheat provided by grain godown was not eatable. The people held strike for this injustice but the government did not take any action.
In the beginning, the 50 kg clean and 50 kg dirty wheat was being given to the people and now the people are forced to buy 20 kg dirty wheat packed in the clean sack of wheat. This is shameful and a joke with the poor people of upper Chitral.
He also demanded of the provincial and the district governments to take quick action in this regard to help the poor people of upper Chitral.--Bashir Hussain Azad
He added that the wheat provided by grain godown was not eatable. The people held strike for this injustice but the government did not take any action.
In the beginning, the 50 kg clean and 50 kg dirty wheat was being given to the people and now the people are forced to buy 20 kg dirty wheat packed in the clean sack of wheat. This is shameful and a joke with the poor people of upper Chitral.
He also demanded of the provincial and the district governments to take quick action in this regard to help the poor people of upper Chitral.--Bashir Hussain Azad
World Cup matches out of Pakistan
People of Pakistan and the cricket fans were shocked when the ICC announced not to play World Cup match in Pakistan due to security threats. The fans of cricket were very enthusiastic to host the World Cup matches but all their wishes remained unfulfilled. What may be the reasons? The recent violent attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore?
When no one wanted to play in Pakistan, Sri Lankan team was there to visit Pakistan because we promised that we will provide them VVIP security. But we failed to do that. The result was obvious. Another reason may be the Western audiences or Westerners; they are more sensitive towards security and might have become a target by Taliban or extremists, as western forces are involved in war against them. Or may some hidden forces were trying to weaken Pakistan. We know that Pakistan has been neglected in IPL, World Cup matches and there will be no mega event in Pakistan.
PCB and the sport ministry are also responsible. They were unable to create awareness and convince the western countries and ICC by PR campaigns . In fect we become victim of terrorism and extremism, we are unable to provide protection to our own people so how can we provide security to others? This is the moment to think. Actually we are losing our national strength to terrorism.
Nooruddin Jalal
Chitral
When no one wanted to play in Pakistan, Sri Lankan team was there to visit Pakistan because we promised that we will provide them VVIP security. But we failed to do that. The result was obvious. Another reason may be the Western audiences or Westerners; they are more sensitive towards security and might have become a target by Taliban or extremists, as western forces are involved in war against them. Or may some hidden forces were trying to weaken Pakistan. We know that Pakistan has been neglected in IPL, World Cup matches and there will be no mega event in Pakistan.
PCB and the sport ministry are also responsible. They were unable to create awareness and convince the western countries and ICC by PR campaigns . In fect we become victim of terrorism and extremism, we are unable to provide protection to our own people so how can we provide security to others? This is the moment to think. Actually we are losing our national strength to terrorism.
Nooruddin Jalal
Chitral
Advancing clocks: mimicking the British masters
In 1916, for the first time in Britain, they forwarded their clocks by one hour because Britain is situated 40 degrees latitude north and there was a great difference between the day time in winter and summer. To fill this gap and to get an extra hour in day time to work and to divide the day into two working shifts, they forwarded their clocks. In our country, the southern tip of Pakistan is Thatta district witch is situated in 23.4 degrees south latitude whereas our most northern tip is Gilgit situated in 36 degrees north. So we don’t need to forward the clock because our winter days are not too short and our summer days are not too long. To follow the colonial masters is in our blood, that is why we, the people of Pakistan, have been blindly following the western nations in every aspect like dresses, languages, living styles etc. But we don’t follow them in research, education and technology. The Govt’s claime of saving 250 MW electricity in 2008 is baseless because it forgot its own orders regarding the saving of electricity. Like last year, the govt's order banning long hours' wedding programs and arranging alternative street-lights as well as restricting use of air conditioners in office till 11am and the WAPDA’s campaign of using energy savers had helped us save that precious 250 MW electricity. By tampering with the clock we provide an extra hour to work and utilization of an extra electricity throughout the country. In office we can’t save electricity only by forwarding the clock because we don’t have the offices with glass roofs, electricity are used in every office in the same way. In my opinion, two days weekend is the best option if we want to save more energy, fuel, telephone etc.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Two Chitralis injured in Kohat suicide attack
KOHAT: Two Chitralis were among the 10 security personnel injured in the suicide attack on a convoy of security personnel in Hangu on Saturday. However, the identities of the Chitralis could not be ascertained. The attack left 21 security men dead and about 40 others injured.
"A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into our check-post close to a police station in Doaba,” a security official said. “We suffered the most casualties.”
Some officials said the bomber had rammed his vehicle into a Thall-bound military convoy in Doaba, on Hangu-Parachinar highway. They said 11 vehicles, which were part of the convoy, had been destroyed in the attack, which happened not far from the army camp. The military, however, denied its convoy had been hit.
Eyewitnesses said security forces cordoned off the area and blocked the Kohat-Parachinar highway at Doaba and nobody was allowed to go near the scene of the explosion.
"A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into our check-post close to a police station in Doaba,” a security official said. “We suffered the most casualties.”
Some officials said the bomber had rammed his vehicle into a Thall-bound military convoy in Doaba, on Hangu-Parachinar highway. They said 11 vehicles, which were part of the convoy, had been destroyed in the attack, which happened not far from the army camp. The military, however, denied its convoy had been hit.
Eyewitnesses said security forces cordoned off the area and blocked the Kohat-Parachinar highway at Doaba and nobody was allowed to go near the scene of the explosion.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mastuj water filtration plant still dry
CHITRAL: A water filtration plant in Mastuj, constructed by the previous government, is yet to be made running although it was completed four years ago.
Residents said that over Rs2 million was spent on the project but still the people were forced to consume contaminated water which caused diseases of different kinds in the area.
When Tehsil Nazim Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk was approached, he said that the water filtration plant needed to be electrified. However, in sharp contrast to the demands of the people, he said that the plant was not required at all in the area.
He said that about Rs4.5 million had been expended by the federal government on three similar projects to provide clean drinking water to the people who consumed contaminated water.
Meanwhile, sources in the district government said that filtration plants were also constructed at Warijun and Jughoor villages which faced the same fate as in Mastuj.--Zahiruddin
Complaints against teachers
CHITRAL: The residents of Garam Chashma have complained that teachers at local government-run girl schools remained absent from duty and students were facing problems.
During an open kutchery, they sought action against the ‘irresponsible’ teachers. They complained that most of the lady teachers did not attend schools but engaged local girls to proxy them on nominal payment which adversely affected the academic progress.
Provincial Population Minister Saleem Khan on the occasion directed the DCO to submit inquiry report so that disciplinary action could be initiated against accused teachers. He said that no laxity could be tolerated when it is the question of education of girls.
The minister asked the parents-teachers associations of the government schools to play their due role to pinpointing irregularities in schools.--Zahiruddin
During an open kutchery, they sought action against the ‘irresponsible’ teachers. They complained that most of the lady teachers did not attend schools but engaged local girls to proxy them on nominal payment which adversely affected the academic progress.
Provincial Population Minister Saleem Khan on the occasion directed the DCO to submit inquiry report so that disciplinary action could be initiated against accused teachers. He said that no laxity could be tolerated when it is the question of education of girls.
The minister asked the parents-teachers associations of the government schools to play their due role to pinpointing irregularities in schools.--Zahiruddin
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
More rains hit Chitral
Chitral Update Report
YARKHUN VALLEY: Two much rain in upper parts of Chitral this year has created problems for the residents. The residents of the areas with no glaciers mostly pray for rain in winter so that they can have sufficient quantity of water in summer to irrigate their crops and orchards.
However, rainfall after March brings more miseries and destruction to standing crops and flowering orchards.
A heavy rain again lashed all parts of the valley on Tuesday afternoon, creating fear among the farmers that it would damage their crops and orchards causing loss of thousands of rupees. Besides, there were reports of widespread avalanches in the far-off areas leading to blockade of roads. Till filing of this report, the rain was continuing.
YARKHUN VALLEY: Two much rain in upper parts of Chitral this year has created problems for the residents. The residents of the areas with no glaciers mostly pray for rain in winter so that they can have sufficient quantity of water in summer to irrigate their crops and orchards.
However, rainfall after March brings more miseries and destruction to standing crops and flowering orchards.
A heavy rain again lashed all parts of the valley on Tuesday afternoon, creating fear among the farmers that it would damage their crops and orchards causing loss of thousands of rupees. Besides, there were reports of widespread avalanches in the far-off areas leading to blockade of roads. Till filing of this report, the rain was continuing.
Boy dies of accidental gunshot
Chitral Today Report
BREP: Wazir Ali, son of Abdul Hakim of Dewangole, died after a shot fired accidentally by his own gun hit him outside his home on Tuesday.
The deceased was a student of class 10.
BREP: Wazir Ali, son of Abdul Hakim of Dewangole, died after a shot fired accidentally by his own gun hit him outside his home on Tuesday.
The deceased was a student of class 10.
Two more bodies retrieved; volunteer killed
SWAT: Two more bodies of Chitralis were recovered from snow on Lowari Pass near Dir Upper on Monday. During the operation, one volunteer was buried alive under the snow. He was identified as Ikramullah, 15, a resident of Swat.
About a week ago, six Chitralis while trying to cross the pass had been buried under an avalanche. Bodies of four of them including a resident of Dir had already been retrieved and shifted to Chitral.—Sana News
Monday, April 13, 2009
Chitral development project next month
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: The Chitral Integrated Development Project would be launched in collaboration with a Norwegian donor agency next month.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, District Nazim Maghfirat Shah and Naib Nazim Sultan Shah said that under the project, rural development work in various sectors would be completed in the district. Initially the project had been funded to the tune of Rs1 billion.
They said that the district government would prioritise the development projects in different sectors on merit. The donor agency would establish its project management unit in Chitral for interaction with the executing agencies of the project.
Regarding the mode of operation of the project, they said that funds for different sectors of development would be utilised by different organisations which were already working in the district.
Small and medium development projects would be executed by village organisations on community participation basis. They said that the AKRSP and other organisations had already imparted valuable training of community development in the area since 1983.
The district nazim said that government departments had lost their credibility due to rampant corruption and for that reason the foreign donors hesitated to utilise funds through them.--Dawn
CHITRAL: The Chitral Integrated Development Project would be launched in collaboration with a Norwegian donor agency next month.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, District Nazim Maghfirat Shah and Naib Nazim Sultan Shah said that under the project, rural development work in various sectors would be completed in the district. Initially the project had been funded to the tune of Rs1 billion.
They said that the district government would prioritise the development projects in different sectors on merit. The donor agency would establish its project management unit in Chitral for interaction with the executing agencies of the project.
Regarding the mode of operation of the project, they said that funds for different sectors of development would be utilised by different organisations which were already working in the district.
Small and medium development projects would be executed by village organisations on community participation basis. They said that the AKRSP and other organisations had already imparted valuable training of community development in the area since 1983.
The district nazim said that government departments had lost their credibility due to rampant corruption and for that reason the foreign donors hesitated to utilise funds through them.--Dawn
Textbook crisis hits Chitral
CHITRAL: Almost two weeks have passed since the new academic year started in the district but students are still lacking textbooks.
Talking to this scribe, parents complained that the government failed to provide textbooks in the district. Officials had said that books would be transported when the Lowari pass would be opened for vehicular traffic.
Parents and students feared that this would lead to wastage of another two weeks of the academic calendar. They said that the government had entered into an agreement with the Afghan government to transport commodities of daily use to Chitral from Peshawar via the neighbouring country therefore they demanded transportation of textbooks through the Afghan route.
The parents criticised the elected representatives of the area for their indifference towards the problem of the students of the government-run schools.--Zahiruddin
Talking to this scribe, parents complained that the government failed to provide textbooks in the district. Officials had said that books would be transported when the Lowari pass would be opened for vehicular traffic.
Parents and students feared that this would lead to wastage of another two weeks of the academic calendar. They said that the government had entered into an agreement with the Afghan government to transport commodities of daily use to Chitral from Peshawar via the neighbouring country therefore they demanded transportation of textbooks through the Afghan route.
The parents criticised the elected representatives of the area for their indifference towards the problem of the students of the government-run schools.--Zahiruddin
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Renovation of DHQ hospital garden
My Dear Friends,
As many of you may already know, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Chitral is working for the renovation and landscaping of the garden in District Headquarters Hospital chitral, to provide a calming and inviting landscape to arriving patients and visitors. This hospital is the only DHQ level hospital in Chitral providing health related services to the whole chitral as well as the Afghan people living in the surrounding areas. Due to heaviness of visitor patients in the hospital, the Environment of the hospital is affecting day by day. So for the purposes to maintain the hospital pollution free zone and upgrading in the landscaping of the hospital, the on going program is launched.
I am involved in the planning, landscaping and management of the work on the project.
About 60 % of the work is completed and the remaining is going on efficiently.
You can join us to support in this renovation program in order to enhance the beauty and build pollution free atmosphere in DHQ Hospital Chitral, by sending us your suggestion, ideas and flowers (sapling) donation. Donations of flowers sapling and other ornamental plants can be made on the following addresses. (Mr. Ajaz Ahmed, Mr Sirtaj Ahmed Khan
Program Consultant Tehsil Nazim, TMA Chitral
Cell: 03449517524 cell: 03009596326
Thanks
Ajaz Ahmed
Chitral
As many of you may already know, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Chitral is working for the renovation and landscaping of the garden in District Headquarters Hospital chitral, to provide a calming and inviting landscape to arriving patients and visitors. This hospital is the only DHQ level hospital in Chitral providing health related services to the whole chitral as well as the Afghan people living in the surrounding areas. Due to heaviness of visitor patients in the hospital, the Environment of the hospital is affecting day by day. So for the purposes to maintain the hospital pollution free zone and upgrading in the landscaping of the hospital, the on going program is launched.
I am involved in the planning, landscaping and management of the work on the project.
About 60 % of the work is completed and the remaining is going on efficiently.
You can join us to support in this renovation program in order to enhance the beauty and build pollution free atmosphere in DHQ Hospital Chitral, by sending us your suggestion, ideas and flowers (sapling) donation. Donations of flowers sapling and other ornamental plants can be made on the following addresses. (Mr. Ajaz Ahmed, Mr Sirtaj Ahmed Khan
Program Consultant Tehsil Nazim, TMA Chitral
Cell: 03449517524 cell: 03009596326
Thanks
Ajaz Ahmed
Chitral
Saturday, April 11, 2009
No end to stranded Chitralis' woes
By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD: Three months after completion of the excavation work on the Lowari Tunnel, the demand of Chitralis to temporarily open the roadway for commuters cut off from rest of the country due to the blockade of the only land route has not been fulfilled.
As a result, the stranded people have no option but to cross the 10,500-foot-high snow-bound pass on foot. So far, about ten persons have lost their lives and scores of others maimed due to frost biting on the pass.
The Lowari Pass linking Chitral with other parts of the country remains closed for all types of traffic from December to early April due to snow. However, due to record snowfall this year, the route may not be opened even at the end of the current month.
As the Chitralis celebrated the completion of the first phase of the tunnel on January 14, they were already faced with extraordinary communication troubles due to blockade of even the alternative route via Afghanistan due to law and order situation in Fata especially the ongoing military operation in Bajaur Agency through which the route passes.
The jubilation over completion of the tunnel’s first phase started turning sour when the federal ministry of communication rejected proposals to open the tunnel for at least two hours daily and the number of stranded people swelled at Chitral and Peshawar. The National Highway Authority (NHA) last month announced to start ferrying people through the tunnel for two hours daily but soon stopped the service after failing to manage the rush of passengers, attributing it to “security concerns” and disturbance to the ongoing work.
Passengers reaching here from Chitral alleged that NHA officials posted on both sides of the tunnel in Dir Upper and Chitral were still issuing permission to selected people to cross the tunnel in vehicles of the Korean Sambu Company constructing the tunnel. “However, poor passengers reaching the tunnel in the hope of being allowed to proceed to their destinations were turned away,” they added. As a last resort, the passengers venture to cross the killer mountain on foot, risking their lives.
The people criticised their elected representatives for failing to persuade the federal government to open the tunnel even for a few hours or make alternative arrangements to resolve their communication-related problems.
They said local political leaders instead of taking up their issues with the authorities concerned were busy in claiming credit for the construction of the Lowari Tunnel. Their infighting has also caused miseries to the residents of Chitral, they added. They said when one political leader tries to initiate a welfare project, his opponents spare no time to sabotage it, making the people suffer.
“Should political leaders who are even not able to get the already-constructed tunnel opened for a few hours claim credit for launching a mega project like the Lowari Tunnel,” one of the Chitralis said.
ISLAMABAD: Three months after completion of the excavation work on the Lowari Tunnel, the demand of Chitralis to temporarily open the roadway for commuters cut off from rest of the country due to the blockade of the only land route has not been fulfilled.
As a result, the stranded people have no option but to cross the 10,500-foot-high snow-bound pass on foot. So far, about ten persons have lost their lives and scores of others maimed due to frost biting on the pass.
The Lowari Pass linking Chitral with other parts of the country remains closed for all types of traffic from December to early April due to snow. However, due to record snowfall this year, the route may not be opened even at the end of the current month.
As the Chitralis celebrated the completion of the first phase of the tunnel on January 14, they were already faced with extraordinary communication troubles due to blockade of even the alternative route via Afghanistan due to law and order situation in Fata especially the ongoing military operation in Bajaur Agency through which the route passes.
The jubilation over completion of the tunnel’s first phase started turning sour when the federal ministry of communication rejected proposals to open the tunnel for at least two hours daily and the number of stranded people swelled at Chitral and Peshawar. The National Highway Authority (NHA) last month announced to start ferrying people through the tunnel for two hours daily but soon stopped the service after failing to manage the rush of passengers, attributing it to “security concerns” and disturbance to the ongoing work.
Passengers reaching here from Chitral alleged that NHA officials posted on both sides of the tunnel in Dir Upper and Chitral were still issuing permission to selected people to cross the tunnel in vehicles of the Korean Sambu Company constructing the tunnel. “However, poor passengers reaching the tunnel in the hope of being allowed to proceed to their destinations were turned away,” they added. As a last resort, the passengers venture to cross the killer mountain on foot, risking their lives.
The people criticised their elected representatives for failing to persuade the federal government to open the tunnel even for a few hours or make alternative arrangements to resolve their communication-related problems.
They said local political leaders instead of taking up their issues with the authorities concerned were busy in claiming credit for the construction of the Lowari Tunnel. Their infighting has also caused miseries to the residents of Chitral, they added. They said when one political leader tries to initiate a welfare project, his opponents spare no time to sabotage it, making the people suffer.
“Should political leaders who are even not able to get the already-constructed tunnel opened for a few hours claim credit for launching a mega project like the Lowari Tunnel,” one of the Chitralis said.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Chitralis hit by avalanche
ISLAMABAD: Eight people going to Chitral via the Lowari Pass have been struck by an avalanch near Dir upper on Monday afternoon. It is feared that all of the have died.
Reports said a group of people were moving towards the Loawri Top after they were denied passage from the Lowari Tunnel when the avalanche hit them. The body of one of the victims identified as Karim Dad Khan of Madaklasht has been retrieved and shifted back to Dir, while efforts were continuing to trace the others.
Reports said a group of people were moving towards the Loawri Top after they were denied passage from the Lowari Tunnel when the avalanche hit them. The body of one of the victims identified as Karim Dad Khan of Madaklasht has been retrieved and shifted back to Dir, while efforts were continuing to trace the others.
MPA to hold katchery in Bang
Report RA Jaffar
CHITRAL: Member provincial assembly (MPA) Haji Ghulam Mohammad will hold an open katchery in Bang, Yarkhun, on Tuesday afternoon.
The DCO, DPO Chitral and other officials concerned will hear the complaints of the residents and order steps to resolve them on the ocacsion.
CHITRAL: Member provincial assembly (MPA) Haji Ghulam Mohammad will hold an open katchery in Bang, Yarkhun, on Tuesday afternoon.
The DCO, DPO Chitral and other officials concerned will hear the complaints of the residents and order steps to resolve them on the ocacsion.
Chitral polo players seek govt patronage
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: The players of polo have demanded of the government to promote and patronise the game, which according to them was a source of attraction for tourists in the area.
Talking to this correspondent here on Sunday, they said that every year a large number of local and foreign tourists visited the area to watch Shandur polo festival. They said that polo was the most expensive game. They said that in the past, more than fifty teams used to take part in the district polo tournament but now hardly twenty teams turned up, owing to lack of official patronage.
A retired polo player, Taj Mohammad Figar, said that in 1970s the government fixed allowance for polo players, which was sufficient enough to meet the expenses of the horse. He said that polo tournaments used to be held twice a year and hundreds of players from the nook and corner of the district thronged Chitral.
He said that the game was highly popular among the rulers of the princely state of Chitral. The rulers used to play the game and keep horses ready for the war times as well. Regarding the present amount of allowance being paid to the players, a player said that it had not been revised since 1980 while the rupee had devalued manifold and the amount was quite nominal.
He said that the amount was enough just to support the expenses of horse for two weeks and most of the players had given up to keep horses because they couldn’t bear the expenses. The players said that the ministry of tourism should patronise the game to promote tourism in the area.
They also demanded patronage of other government departments and commercial banks like that of Chitral Scouts and Chitral police, which had polo teams and recruited polo players.--Dawn
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Chitral local support bodies reorganized
Report Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: Local support organisations (LSOs) set up under the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) in Chitral, have been reorganised to enhance their functioning.
This was stated by regional programme manager of AKRSP, Sardar Ayub while addressing a meeting of the board of directors of the LSOs of Ayun and Kalash valleys (named AVDP) here on Saturday.
He said that AKRSP had set up more than ten LSOs across the district as the umbrella organisations of their respective village bodies for which financial support and training facilities had been provided to make them self-reliant.
Mr Ayub said that the credit of organising the scattered villagers into social organisations went to AKRSP which was launched in the district in 1983 with the task of rural development. He said that now time was ripe for these organisations to gain self-reliance.
He said that to achieve this objective, the AKRSP grouped the village organisations into LSOs and provided them with financial support, well-established offices and imparted extensive training to the office-bearers. They were also provided with exposure visits to the northern areas where the system was functioning successfully.
Expressing his confidence over the functioning of the LSOs, Mr Ayub said that they were generating local resources to meet their requirements.
He said that the LSOs were also promoting democratic culture because all the decisions were made after open discussion.
Regarding development work in the Kalash valleys, he said that a foreign funded livelihood programme had been launched there to bring about tangible change in the life standard of Kalash people who were suffering from poverty.
Mr Ayub stressed on the board of directors of AVDP to make the programme a model for other LSOs and work for its success with full dedication and sincerity.
Chairman of AVDP Rehmat Ilahi, senior social organiser of AKRSP Fazle Malik and others also put forward their suggestions to make the programme a success.
Mountain sheer-off displaces six families in Booni
Dawn
By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD: Residents of Nivazantek in Booni, about 70 km north of the Chitral town, were on Saturday evacuated to a safer place after a mountain started sheering off on their houses.
Talking to this correspondent on the phone from Booni, Syed Kausar Ali Shah, a resident of the locality, said after an earthquake last year the mountain overlooking their houses had started crumbling.
He said with the melting of heavy snow on the mountain, big boulders and stones started to fall on the locality damaging houses, orchards, standing crops and threatening public lives.
The residents left their houses about a week back and were staying with relatives in other parts of the Booni village till they were shifted to temporary tents at Kroi Junali on Saturday, he added.
Mr Ali said Focus Humanitarian Assistance, an NGO, had supplied them tents while residents of Booni were providing them other necessary items. So far there has been no assistance from the government side, he added.
He said MPA Ghulam Mohammad was supervising the relief operation and was in touch with the authorities concerned to ensure relief supplies to the affected people, while Tehsil Nazim Mastuj Shahzada Skendarul Mulk had visited the site and promised assistance to the affected people.
He called upon the federal government to activate the Disaster Management Cell in order to provide relief supplies to the displaced people on time.
By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD: Residents of Nivazantek in Booni, about 70 km north of the Chitral town, were on Saturday evacuated to a safer place after a mountain started sheering off on their houses.
Talking to this correspondent on the phone from Booni, Syed Kausar Ali Shah, a resident of the locality, said after an earthquake last year the mountain overlooking their houses had started crumbling.
He said with the melting of heavy snow on the mountain, big boulders and stones started to fall on the locality damaging houses, orchards, standing crops and threatening public lives.
The residents left their houses about a week back and were staying with relatives in other parts of the Booni village till they were shifted to temporary tents at Kroi Junali on Saturday, he added.
Mr Ali said Focus Humanitarian Assistance, an NGO, had supplied them tents while residents of Booni were providing them other necessary items. So far there has been no assistance from the government side, he added.
He said MPA Ghulam Mohammad was supervising the relief operation and was in touch with the authorities concerned to ensure relief supplies to the affected people, while Tehsil Nazim Mastuj Shahzada Skendarul Mulk had visited the site and promised assistance to the affected people.
He called upon the federal government to activate the Disaster Management Cell in order to provide relief supplies to the displaced people on time.
Timely supply of textbooks demanded
CHITRAL: Parents have demanded of the government to make arrangements for transportation of free textbooks to government schools in Chitral.
They complained that last year, a lot of time had been wasted in this regard. They said that the district should be given priority in provision of textbooks due to its remoteness.
They said that the closure of Lowari tunnel should not be made an excuse for further delay in carrying the books as the books could be transported through Afghanistan.
“Chitral is spread on an area of 14,850 square/kilometres and contains 32 distant valleys and it will take anther two months to pass on the books to the schools situated there,” a local said.--Zahiruddin
Two rescued from Lowari Top
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: The police rescued two persons from the Lowari Top where they were caught by blizzards and admitted them to the tehsil hospital Drosh on Friday.
SHO Inspector Mohammad Khalid told this reporter that Maqsood Ahmed and Toti Khan lagged behind the convoy of passengers they were travelling with after crossing the Lowari Top and were caught by blizzards.
“On hearing the news about the missing passengers, police rushed to the spot and fortunately spotted them and removed to the nearest hospital,” he said, adding that doctors of the hospital were hopeful about their recovery.
Meanwhile, the residents of Chitral have expressed anguish over the ‘stubborn’ attitude of the federal government for not allowing passengers to pass through the Lowari tunnel despite repeated demands.
They said that passengers crossed the Lowari Pass in desperate conditions which had so far killed many people over the years. They said that in the month of April, there were dangers of avalanches and blizzards in the area and the passengers had no alternative route.--Dawn
CHITRAL: The police rescued two persons from the Lowari Top where they were caught by blizzards and admitted them to the tehsil hospital Drosh on Friday.
SHO Inspector Mohammad Khalid told this reporter that Maqsood Ahmed and Toti Khan lagged behind the convoy of passengers they were travelling with after crossing the Lowari Top and were caught by blizzards.
“On hearing the news about the missing passengers, police rushed to the spot and fortunately spotted them and removed to the nearest hospital,” he said, adding that doctors of the hospital were hopeful about their recovery.
Meanwhile, the residents of Chitral have expressed anguish over the ‘stubborn’ attitude of the federal government for not allowing passengers to pass through the Lowari tunnel despite repeated demands.
They said that passengers crossed the Lowari Pass in desperate conditions which had so far killed many people over the years. They said that in the month of April, there were dangers of avalanches and blizzards in the area and the passengers had no alternative route.--Dawn
Renovation of DHQ hospital park underway
Report GH Farooqui, Chitral
The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Chitral is
working on renovation and landscaping of a garden at
the District Headquarters Hospital Chitral.
The main purpose of the project is to provide pollution
free environment to the patients and other visitors of the
hospital. For this purposes, the Tehisl Administration
and the hospital administration hired services of Ajaz
Ahmed, a young forest expert and head of non-timber
forest produce of Chitral for planning and landscaping
of the garden.
The garden is approximately 125 feet long and 60 feet wide
(38 meters by 18 meters). So far the designing of the park
has been completed and different species of flowers and
siblings have been planted in the garden. A mini rose garden
with five rose species has also been set up in the hospital.
This garden will be an ideal place for party and open
workshops and other programs.
District Coordination Officer Chitral Mutasim Billah Shah,
Commandant Chitral Scouts Col Suhail Iqbal and Tehsil
Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan visited the hospital to
analyze the ongoing project and appreciated the efforts of
TMA for beautification of the hospital. It may be noted
here that the renovation work was launched by Sartaj
Ahmad Khan, the tehsil nazim of Chitral.
The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Chitral is
working on renovation and landscaping of a garden at
the District Headquarters Hospital Chitral.
The main purpose of the project is to provide pollution
free environment to the patients and other visitors of the
hospital. For this purposes, the Tehisl Administration
and the hospital administration hired services of Ajaz
Ahmed, a young forest expert and head of non-timber
forest produce of Chitral for planning and landscaping
of the garden.
The garden is approximately 125 feet long and 60 feet wide
(38 meters by 18 meters). So far the designing of the park
has been completed and different species of flowers and
siblings have been planted in the garden. A mini rose garden
with five rose species has also been set up in the hospital.
This garden will be an ideal place for party and open
workshops and other programs.
District Coordination Officer Chitral Mutasim Billah Shah,
Commandant Chitral Scouts Col Suhail Iqbal and Tehsil
Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan visited the hospital to
analyze the ongoing project and appreciated the efforts of
TMA for beautification of the hospital. It may be noted
here that the renovation work was launched by Sartaj
Ahmad Khan, the tehsil nazim of Chitral.
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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.