Lowari Tunnel to help tap mineral resources in Chitral

Report Zahiruddin, Chitral

The completion of the much-awaited Lowari rail tunnel will also lead to exploitation of the mineral resources of Chitral district, which are present on an immense scale, a source in the mineral exploration department told this correspondent here on Friday.
He said that the high cost of transportation of the raw material from the mining sites in the remote areas of the district restrict the exploitation of the resources. The source said that the intra-district roads could be improved only after the completion of the tunnel.
He said that there were rich deposits of many precious minerals like gold, silver, iron, tin and vanadium, but its extraction involves huge expenditure due to the high transportation costs.
The source said that Sarhad Development Authority had exploited only a small fraction of some ordinary minerals like antimony in Krinj village near Chitral city and Patsan valley.
He said that there were so many sites of fine quality of marble in various parts of the district out of which some had been leased out to individuals for extraction.
The source said that keeping in view the large amount and rare quality of marble in the district, especially in the Lotkoh valley, the government had decided to establish a marble city in the district, which was at its final stage.
He said that antimony was present in large quantity in the district in Kushum, Melp and Awiret Gol areas. The source said that the quantity of magnetite ore had been estimated at 7.3 million tonnes at Damel Nisar, Koghuzi and Gahiret villages and its transportation in ore form renders it much costlier.
He said that in the Munoorgol area of Garum Chashma valley, gemstones like aquamarine and topaz were found, while dolomite, galena and pyrite had vast deposits in Madashil area of the same valley.
The source said that in Lotkoh and Terich valley, arsenic occurs in large quantity and was known for its superb quality.
In Pakhturi Oveer and Golen, vast deposits of soapstone and quartz veins containing lead-zinc ore are present, he said. The source said that the exploration of the mineral deposits situated in the pastures jeopardize and disturb the biodiversity and it was one of the obstacles in exploitation of the mineral resources.
However, he said, that by taking extra care and special measures, the exploration process could be carried out without disturbing the ecosystem. The source said that survey of the mineral deposits in the district had been carried out by the British rulers and then by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, but due to its hard topography and remoteness, no work could ever be initiated on exploration fearing its high cost.
He hoped that with the completion of the under construction Lowari rail tunnel, mineral exploration activities could be launched which would have a positive impact on the economy of the area leading to poverty alleviation.

PML-N Chitral protests disqualification of Sharif brothers

Report GH Farooqui, Chitral



PIA Square Chitral presided over by Zar Ajam senior vice president. Workers of PML-N held a rally at PIA Chowk and condemned the verdict of Supreme Court disqualifying of the Sherif brothers. They also passed a unanimous resolution terming the Supreme Court verdict partial and dictated by president Asif Ali Zardari.
Like other parts of the country, the PML-N is also protesting against this verdict and condemned the Governor Rule in Punjab. they asked the government to immediatelly withdraw it. They announced full support to lawyers for restoration of judiciary. They also demanded imposition of Sharia in Malakand Division.
The speakers also demanded reinstatement of Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as chief justice of Pakistan. Those who spoke on the occasion were Fazle Rahim Advocate, president of PML-N Chitral chapter; Niaz A Niazi Advocate, Director Human Rights; Irshad Javed Advocate, Vice President of PML-N; Salahuddin, Sajidullah and Zar Ajam. Workers of Jamaet-i-Islami also participated in the public meeting. Some of PPP workers also announced to join PML-N on the occasion.

Chitralis & Nizam-e-Adl - Letter

It is with reference to a letter of MR. K.A Jamil Shahnawi about Chitral and the Nizam-e-Adl regulation.
Thank to Mr Shahnawi for his profound sympathies for Ismailis as he says that they (Ismailis) are his brothers. But one can't forget his prejudice, cumbersome attitude and thinking about Ismailis which he has been very proudly sharing and practicing with his friends and other associates. Who can ignore how he treated his Ismaili staff members when he was serving in a project of rural water supply in Chitral. Anyhow, we are happy to see Mr. Shahnawi in a changed and friendly mode but at the same breath will request him to stop his poisonous propaganda against the whole Ismaili community, may be he has his personal animosities with someone but other Ismailis are his "brothers". In fact, Mr. Shahnawi's letter is the voice of his heart to threaten the Ismaili community.
As far as Nizam-e-Adle is concerned, Ismailis have never opposed it. A reliable and strong system is needed and will favor all the stakeholders. I solely agree with Dr. Faizi's comments about the system. He has very positively quoted the pre-1969 era when the Ismaili community in Chitral relied on Mezan Shariat and will always support such a judicial system if ever implemented.


K.B Shah
Lahore

chinar_shah@yahoo.com

Chitrali passenger kidnapped in Afghanistan

CHITRAL: A Chitrali passenger coming from Peshawar to Chitral via Kunar was abducted by some unknown persons at Asmaar area of Afghanistan. According to police station Arandu, when Ghaffar Ali Gohkeer, a resident Tehsil Mulkoh, reached Asmaar village unknown persons stopped their vehicle and abducted him. His relatives registered a case with the police station Arandu against the unknown persons. The Arandu police are investigating the case. Independent sources told this scribe that Ghaffar Ali had some monetary dispute with an Afghan refugee, Pateh Mullah, and the family suspected that he might have kidnapped him.--GH Farooqui

Chitralis and Nizam-e-Adl regulation - Letter

Apropos Sadia Qasim Shah's write-up, (Dawn 23.2.09), I would like to clarify the matter of acceptance or otherwise regarding Nizam-e-Adl regulation by the Ismailis of Chitral. I do not want to bracket the Ismailis with Kalash minority of Chitral, rather I shall treat them separately. As a policy Ismailis never violate any law promulgated by any government any where in the world; they never indulge themselves individually or collectively in controversies like this, therefore I believe that Sardar Hussain and Sirajul Mulk are not speaking the minds of ismailis.
As a reality on ground, the Ismaili community has shown its acceptance to Nizam-e- Adl and Sharia law over the past many centuries in Chitral when their disputes were settled by Mizan-e- Sharia in the former state of Chitral. After the merger od state in 1969 the Ismailis took an initiative and established their own reconciliation and arbitration boards to settle their disputes out of court and the system is still in place. This parallel system shows that Ismailis were not happy with the legal procedure before Nizam-e-Adle regulation. So there is no remote chance of any disagreement on the Nizam-e- Adl regulation 2009, by the people of Chitral.
The writer has also mentioned Kalash minorities. A Kalash leader, Bachara Khan requested Gen. Fazle Haq in July 1981 to appoint him as a Judge. Gen. Fazle Haq asked, “How can you be a Judge? Bachara khan said, “I can dispose of cases like your Judge does in his office, I shall defer every case for next hearing and the process will go on”.
Bachara Khan is still active and he will accept Sharia as alternative to the present system.

Dr. Inayatullah Faizi
Balim, Chitral.

Nizam-e-Adl and Chitralis - Letter

I have gone through a report of Ms. Sadia Qasim Shah about the title matter in www.chitraltoday.com, acknowledging the courtesy of DAWN.
It is evident from the facts, figures, history as well, that the people of the Chitral have very positive, heartily and deep passion and affiliation towards the Islamic way of life. Both the Sunni and Ismaili communities acknowledge that the present system could not fulfill the needs and necessities. Time to time Chitrali people, through peaceful and sober means, have demanded the enforcement of Shariah not only in Chitral but all over Pakistan. This desire and demand still persist and it's now being fulfilled under the recent Shariah Nizam-e-Adal regulation.
The writer of the said report quotes two known figures of Chitral, Mr. Siraj ulMulk and Mr. Sardar Hussain. The fear or reservation of both these valued personalities might be their own but it is unjust, unhealthy and to a great extend prejudice to portrait it as the feeling(s) of 400,000 population, or Chitralis not happy with Sharia.
People of Chitral (Sunni + Ismailis) have very strong affections with Islamic laws. The people of Chitral hosted TNSM Chief Moulana Suffi Mohammad in 1994/95 in Drosh and Chitral and Maulana Sufi Muhammad hold large public rallies.
As for as the perception that the religious leaders (Ulema) could cash in on this law/regulation for personal agenda is concerned, it is 100% explicit that if the system is implemented in true sense, then no one can get extra benefit of the law because Islamic law covers all walks and area of life and there are also penalties for such person(s) who use the law for his or their own benefit(s). Islamic laws are not based on some likes, dislikes, Inclusions and exclusions.
Role of {Religious Leaders} Ullema is admitted and recognized by each & every one in everywhere. This is the role of Ulema who made peace possible in the restive Swat other wise our armed forces were unable to achieve the target. What was impossible by all arms, ammunitions, arsenals and jet fighters, Ulema made it possible through peaceful manners.
In case of Chitral, they were Ullema who maintained peace, law and order and harmony in 1999, otherwise the picture of Chitral would have been like the present Swat, Bajaur or Wazirsitan.
If silent support of Chitrali Muslims is conceived negatively or wrongly by some circles it doesn't matter and living in such a fool's paradise is not in true sense. Chitrali love & like peace and harmony.
Articles and reports like the one edited by Sadia Shah seems to be use of "Pen/Writing Skill" to create tension & unrest in a very peaceful land, in a time when Chitral is reckon the only land of peace. Writers must keep in mind that the people of Chitral (Sunni+Ismaili+Kalash) live in peace, harmony and would maintain it at any cost. We could not allow a few one to play with the peace and sentiments of the Muslims.
We are integral part of NWFP and then Malakand agency since 1969, when the state was abolished. No strong voice has been raised by any circle to exclude Chitral from Malakand Division. We receive our job quota under this division. Being an integral part of Malakand division we (Chitrali Muslims) deserve rightly to have the Shariya Nizam-e-Adal regulations. We need and want it in a very soft and peaceful manner but if negative approaches are adopted to deprive Chitrali Muslims from their basic law/right than apparently this peaceful district could also see some unrest because {Some circles} or people will see that Demands and needs are only fulfilled by discomfort able means (Like Swat).

(God save Chitral from all this)

I believe that both the personalities {quoted by the writer} know better the position of Chitral. Being a Social and prominent political figure, Mr. Saeed Sardar Hussain is well aware of the political and religious situation of Chitral. His good services are required to bring the Sunni & Ismaili brothers more closely and develop realistic, healthy and hale and hearty relations. Elite like Mr. Saeed should keep in mind that people have their eyes on Chitral but we should also have our deep insight in all the occurring.
MNA Chitral, both the MPAs and District Nazim have endorsed the promulgation of Nizam-e-Adal regulation and this is the voice of Chitrali Muslim living from Boroghul to Arandu/Lowari. Chitrali people are grateful to MNA Shehzada Mohiuddin, Minister Salim Khan, MPA Ghulam Muhammad and District Nazim Haji Maghfirat Shah for the proper representation of Chitral muslims.

K.A.Jamil Shahnawi

Drosh, Chitral

SHOs reshuffled in Chitral

CHITRAL: The District Police Officer of Chitral, Sher Akbar Khan, has reshuffled in the local police.
According to a notification, SI Sultan Baig, who was serving as Additional Station House Officer (SHO) Drosh, has been posted as SHO Booni; Sub-Inspector Mohammad Rasool working as SHO Booni posted as Officer Investigation Tehsil Mulkho; Sub-Inspector Mohammad Zafar, Officer Investigation, was posted as SHO Ayun and Inspector Tariq Kaleem, SHO Ayun, was posted as In-Charge anti corruption section Chitral.--GH Farooqui

Chitral lawyers boycott courts

CHITRAL: To express solidarity with the Sharif brothers, the District Bar Association (DBA) Chitral has announced boycott of courts for three days
on the call of Pakistan Bar council.
Syed Iftihar Hussain Jan, president DBA, said like other parts of the country lawyers of Chitral also observed protest to condemn the Supreme Court verdict disqualifying the Sharif brothers. He said they respected the august court but the its recent decision would put far-reaching impacts on national politics. He announced that the DBA would boycott courts till February 28. Due to lawyers protest, courts remained shut and litigants coming from far-flung areas faced great hardships.--GH Farooqui

Woman attempts suicide in Broze, Chitral

Report GH Farooqui, Chitral

A young woman attempted suicide in Broze due to domestic problems on Wednesday evening. According to Medical Superintendent DHQ Hospital Chitral Dr Nazim Ahmad and Medical Specialist Dr Ruknuddin, Gul Naz, wife of Muhammad Nawaz of Gambot Broze village, took poison over some domestic issue. She was immediately rushed to the DHQ hospital where she was recovering. Family members of Gul Naz, who is mother of two, said she was mentally disturbed and had tried to kill herself many times in the past too.

Outgoing EDO (education)'s services hailed

CHITRAL: Executive District Officer Schools and Literacy Samad Gul retired from government service.
In this regard, a farewell party was held at Government Centennial Model High School Chitral where District Nazim Maghfirat Shah was chief guest while Sartaj Ahmad Khan presided over the ceremony.
The speakers paid tributes to Mr Gul for his services and termed him a great educationist. They said the services of Mr Gul would long be remembered. A large number of teachers, government officials, social workers and people belonging to all walks of life attended the farewell party.--GH Farooqui

Prepardness to meet calamities stressed

CHITRAL: Speakers at the concluding ceremony of a two-day workshop for volunteers of civil defence stressed the need for preparedness and a workable strategy to cope with natural calamities, saying this would minimise losses.
According to them, Chitral due to its geographical location was more vulnerable to natural calamities than other parts of the country.
The speakers, including DCO Motasim Billah Shah, Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmed Khan, project manager of FOCUS, Amir Mohammad, and Dr Mohammad Yahya said to mitigate the after-effects of calamities, preparedness was needed and civil defence organisation should be strengthened, which would also ensure community participation. They said the organisation should be provided with necessary resources and more intensive trainings imparted to volunteers.
They said more volunteers should be enlisted in every village, adding that area-wise the district was the largest in the province and quick response was not possible from the district headquarters alone.
On the occasion, the volunteers also performed mock rescue operations.--Zahiruddin

Cash awards announced for grid station workers in Chitral

Chitral Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmed Khan extolled the workers of grid stations organisation of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) in Chitral for their relentless efforts at the very peril of their lives to reconnect the district with the national grid by repairing the transmission lines in Lowari Top.

Talking to media in Chitral on Wednesday, he announced a cash prize of ten thousand rupees for the workers in recognition of their hard work as a result of which electric supply was restored to Chitral district after sixteen days.

Sartaj Ahmed said more than twenty five feet of snow had accumulated in the Lowari Top and it was not an easy job to work on such a place where one faces the danger of avalanche every moment. He admired the workers by saying that they prepared themselves to offer sacrifice to restore electric supply to Chitral.

The nazim demanded of the Wapda high ups to provide its GSO office with a vehicle in Chitral without which they face difficulties to reinstate the lines. He also demanded to regularise the services of all the staff who were working on contract basis for the last five years.--Zahiruddin

Discrimination in selection for media award

Through your valued online paper, I would like to draw attention towards the discriminatory attitude of Regional Women Empowerment Project (RWEP) Chitral in selecting mediapersons for the Media Award 2008. Being a journalist, I strongly condemn this discrimination. The RWEP deliberately ignored two journalists and the Editors of Chitral Vision newspaper for the media award. The RWEP, a project of AKRSP Chitral, is also responsible for this discrimination. I request the RWEP and the AKRSP Chitral to reconsider the names of all newspaper editors.
Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan ensures that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, language and province.
Mr. Rahmat Aziz, Mr Zar Alam Khan Razakhel and Mr H. Rahman are the Editors of Chitral Vision and freelance journalists. The Media Award was for those Chitrali journalists, news editors and columnists associated with electronic and print media for the year 2008.

A.A.Ghazi

akbaralighazi@gmail.com

Chitralis not happy with Taliban's Nizam-e-Adl - Letter

This is with reference to a mysterious write up by Sadia Qasim Shah titled “ Chitralis not happy with Taliban’s Nizam-e-Adl (Chitral Update 23-2-2009) I do not know who is the writer and where he is based. I have every regard for Sardar Hussain and Sirajul Mulk but I doubt the views expressed by the writer are reflecting the opinion of the above named persons from Chitral.

Ground reality remains that like the people of Buner, Shangla, Dir and Kohistan, the people of Chitral, both Sunni and Ismaili communities had demanded Sharia and Adl regulation through peaceful means, whereas the Taliban of Swat went violent. I doubt the credentials of Sardar Hussain and Sirajul Mulk to speak on behalf of Ismaili and Sunni communities. The Sunni community is represented by its religious and political leadership, while the Ismaili community is represented by its councils of upper and lower Chitral. Salim Khan, Minister for Population Welfare and Ghulam Muhammad MPA from Chitral were present in the Jirga which announced the Sharia regulation, and these two persons have the right to speak on behalf of the people of Chitral.

As for as Kalash minority is concerned, I believe that the Kalash have lived peacefully under Sharia law in the past and they are equally happy with the Sharia and Nizam-e-Adl regulation 2009.



Bashir Hussain Azad,

Chitral.

Condolence messages

Dear Editor,

Pl convey our condolence to Mr. Mohammad Nawaz, Mr. Aziz Nawaz of Chapali, Mastuj, on the sad demise of their beloved mother. May Allah shower his blessing upon the departed soul and give courage to the family to bear this loss. (Ameen)

2.
Pl also convey our profound sorrow & grief to Mr. Tawakal Khan of Chuinj and all family members on the sudden & sad demise of Mr. Khodadad Khan. We pray to Allah for eternal peace to the deceased and courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss,, Ameen.

Haider Nizar & family
Islamabad.

Jobless paramedics on hunger strike in Chitral

CHITRAL: Unemployed trained paramedics continue their token hunger strike since December 20 demanding recruitment in the health department. But no action has been taken so far, they complained. Member board of director Legal Awareness Program for Human Rights (LAPH) Niaz A. Niazi Advocate, president Paramedical Association Chitral Khurshid Ahmad, former President of District Bar Association Khurshid Hussain Advocate, journalist Maulana M. Afzal and a retired female staff of the health department also sat in the hunger strike camp on Tuesday to express sympathy with the protesters.
Talking to this scribe, they said the token hunger strike of these jobless trained paramedics was started on 20th December but they have not been adjusted in the health department. They demanded that the high ups of the health department should adjust them immediately.--GH Farooqui

Chitralis happy without Nizam-e-Adl

By Sadia Qasim Shah

PESHAWAR: The government’s claim that the proposed Sharia-based judicial system was in accordance with the aspirations of the people could be true for Swat and Dir districts but the people of Chitral, a district also included in Malakand division, say they didn’t ask for the Islamic law.
The people of Chitral have expressed concern that introduction of Sharia based judicial system might encourage religious leaders as was the case of Maulana Fazlullah in Swat to meddle with the personal lives of people of Chitral who have been so far living in religious harmony and peace. “Our quiet district, largely bordering Afghanistan and also bordering restless Dir and Swat, is as yet peaceful and our population of Sunnis, Ismailis and Kalash live in perfect harmony,” said Sirajul Mulk, a local elder associated with tourism business.
“We have wrongly been placed in Pakhtoonkhwa. We are not Pukhtun and should have been placed in the Northern Areas. We have been further misplaced in the Malakand Division and are now, whether we like it or not, we are going to get this Sharia-based judicial system,” Mr. Mulk said.
Chitral with more than 400,000 population is different from the rest of the districts in Malakand division in its location, language called Khowar and 13 dialects and its religious groups living in harmony with each other.
“The people of Swat demanded Sharia. We didn’t ask for it. Militancy is not our issue and we are living in peace and we want to relish it”, Mr. Mulk said.
He said many Chitralis like him were concerned that a handful of religious leaders would get a chance to exploit this situation as their voice would be louder than the large silent population on different issues.
North West Frontier Province Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti had said the Sharia-based judicial system for Malakand division would not be similar to the one introduced by Taliban in Afghanistan but the West had been looking with concern at the NWFP government’s peace accord with the Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat Mohammadi. The people of Chitral also feel it would discourage foreign tourists from visiting the scenic valley economically dependent on tourism industry.
Sardar Hussain, a social and political activist based in Booni, highlighting the fact that position of Chitral was quiet different from Swat or any other district in Malakand division elaborated that Chitral was unique as world focused on this area due to its festivals and tourism potential. The so-called pro-Taliban militants demanding Sharia have killed and destroyed Swat. They have earned this region a bad name.
“A foreigner tourist wouldn’t come here as he would not be able to differentiate between Sharia and Nizam-i-Adl Regulation. They would just know that Sharia was the demand of Taliban and government had given in to their demand,” Sardar feared.
“It is not the demand of the people of Chitral but rather the militants. The people of Swat fatigued with war were happy not because of Sharia but the peace. Peace is what we have and we don’t want any changes which pose a threat to it, he said.
Sardar Hussain said people of Chitral, once a princely state, always wanted regular laws which are enforced in the rest of Pakistan.
He claimed that there were rarely any crimes like murder and theft in their area. The literacy rate among girls was higher than boys. People celebrate different festivals and live in harmony with other ethnic and religious groups.
He said it would not be possible to implement a unanimous Sharia as there were several sects with different legal opinions on a single issue.
Another Chitrali representing the Ismaili religious community, which is about 40 per cent of the total population of the district, said people of Chitral didn’t want this kind of judicial system. “We save time and money by consulting our own arbitration and reconciliatory body,” he said.
“Chitral has unique location, culture and people of different ethnicities live here in peace. We don’t feel we have any connection with the rest of Malakand division,” he said while giving reason why they didn’t want any change in the present judicial system.
“We respect the law of Pakistan and don’t demand any Sharia-based judicial system as Sharia is often misinterpreted,” he said while expressing fears that usually different kind of interpretations create complications.
An educated youth from Kalash associated with tourism business said his people were not much aware of Sharia but as a non-Muslim he felt unsure of situation in future.
People of Chitral who feel “forgotten” both by the provincial and central governments feel the proposed judicial system for Chitral is unwanted.
“We no longer crib about being forgotten because in this process we find that we have what our other countrymen are fast losing -- peace and harmony with our traditional values intact. Our present legal system is faulty but surely a debate ought to have taken place to determine our peculiarity and population mix before we were forced into going the way of Swat? What message is this going to give our people? All this coming at a time when the Lowari Tunnel is going to make it easier for rogues to enter our district does not bode well for Chitral”, Sirajul Mulk opined demanding the government to reconsider the proposal as far as Chitral is concerned.--Courtesy Dawn

Haji Lal's death condoled

Sir,

Please convey our profound sorrow and grief to Mr Muhammad Sadir Khan (brother), Farman Nizar Khan (elder son), Mr Miqdar Ali Khan, Mr Nawab Zaman, Councillor, Noor Zaman Khan, Nawaz Ali Khan and all relatives on the sad demise of Mr Hakim Khan alias Rathenio Haji of Brep, Chitral on February 21 at the age of 96. We have lost an oral history and loving father. May Allah shower His blessings on the departed soul and give courage to the family bear this irreparable loss, Ameen.



Sher Wali Khan Aseer & family,

Abbottabad.

Chitral's wetland resources highlighted

Report Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral

Shahzada Ibrahim Pirzada, the chairperson of NCCB, has said Chitral is full of wetlands and Ramsar convention is more important for us than other parts of Pakistan. Chitral is rich in terms of lakes, ponds or fast-flowing rivers, marshes, peat lands, flood plains and mangrove forests etc., and these wetlands play a very important role in benefitting human being, plants, animals besides providing a congenial and suitable environment to all of the living things on the earth.
Pirzada regretted that nowwWetlands are being degraded and destroyed for many reasons. They are changed into farmland or house projects or converted into water reservoirs for hydropower dams. They are also at risk of pollution, dumping of solid wastes at their corners and sides and using of pesticides. In return, due to bad effects and destruction to the wetlands all living things die out. Fish and marine forests and other useful insects die out and migratory birds have to find new breeding grounds for their rehabilitation.Pirzadha made a request to the government agencies, NGOs and representatives of civil society at all levels of the community to come forward to preserve the wetlands and natural resources of Chitral and he appreciated the Pakistan Wetlands Programme for their activities in Chitral and hope for further expansion and strengthen of these initiated programs.

Condolence

Through your online newspaper, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolence to Mr. Sardar Nawaz, Mr. Mohammad Nawaz and their families on the sad demise of their beloved mother. May Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give patience to the bereaved family on this irreparable lose.

Zhano Yar Khan and family
Manager Admin
Khyber TV

Islamabad

Obituary

Chitral Update Report

MASTUJ: The mother of Sardar Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz and Aziz Nawaz of Chappali, Mastuj, passed away after a short illness in her ancestral village on Friday night.

She was about 75 years.

Chitral Today expresses its heart-felt condolence with the family and prays to Almighty Allah to rest the soul in eternal peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss (Ameen).

Leaders' rivalry costs Chitral dearly

Through the curtsey of your esteemed online paper, I would like to refer to the recent wave of allegations and counter allegations leveled against each other by the former and incumbent MNA of Chitral. I think NA-24 Chitral has been experiencing the worst things for the last seven years. Since 2002, our ex-MNA and the sitting MNA have indulged themselves in the dirty game of mudslinging and leg-pulling at the cost of the poor people of Chitral. In this dirty game, the people of Chitral lost four billion rupees of development funds meant for draught reduction programme, sport complex, infrastructure and poverty alleviation. It is in the interest of only two individuals that the dirty game is going on. It reminds me an old saying “Small minds discuss individuals, big minds discuss matters and genius works in silence”. It is a pity that instead of solving the burning problems of Chitral, the former and sitting MNAs are indulging themselves in petty issues of personal interest and personal rivalry which have nothing to do with the problems facing Chitrali people. Since 2002 the people have become fed up with this negative attitude of Chitrali leadership. Therefore, we appeal to the sitting MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin to turn a deaf ear to the allegations of adversaries and focus on serving the people. It is a pity that our leadership is involved in petty issues instead of serving the people.

Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral

MNA says Rs70 million projects for Chitral approved

Report GH Farooqui, Chitral
Member National Assembly and former federal minister Shahzada Mohiuddin has said he has got spproved Rs70 millions for different development projects including roads, bridges, schools, irrigation and water channels in the district.

Addressing a big public gathering at PIA Chowk here, he said Lowari Rail Tunnel will be completed within the stipulated time and it would bring great revolution in development of Chitral. He lamented that the district Nazim of Chital and other politicians were levelling baseless allegations against him regarding opening of the tunnel for traffic in the winter. He said actually the high-ups of National Highway Authority and Sambu Korean Company had decided not to allow any movement inside the tunnel because it would badly affect the ongoing work on the project.

The MNA warned the Pesh Imam of Bazaar Mosque, who is also assistant Qazi at Chitral court, to avoid doing politics otherwise he will lodge complaints to the Chief Justice of Pakistan against him. He said Lowari tunnel was started by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and completed by Parvez Musharaf. He criticized the district nazim for what his said telling lie to the nation on Radio Chitral that he travelled inside the tunnel on the occasion of inauguration of its phase one but he was not allowed to travel in the tunnel because he had done nothing for the project. He also announced his full support for imposing Sharia in Malakand Division and Chitral. He said problem of electricity would be solved on an emergency basis as he was in contact with the chairman Wapda to detail an expert engineer to analyze whether upgradation of the local hydropower station was possible in the present scenario.

A large number of people participated in the public meeting despite cold weather.

Relief supplies for Yarkhun, Laspur valleys demanded

ISLAMABAD: The government should declare the snow- and avalanche-affected areas of Ghizer and Chitral districts as calamity-hit and provide relief to the people on an emergency basis.
This was sated by Abdul Jehan Khan, a social worker from Ghizer district, and Suleman Shah, former nazim of Laspur union council in Chitral, while speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday.
They said avalanches had killed scores of people and blocked villages in the Yarkhun and Laspur valleys of Chitral. Similarly, many areas in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan have also been blocked by unprecedented rains and snowfall.
They said the bodies of the victims buried under an avalanche in the Yarkhun valley could not be recovered on time due to absence of rescue staff as the valley still remained cut-off from rest of the country.
The government has failed to reach out to the affected people despite the passage of many days. Even the National Disaster Management Authority has not taken any initiative to provide emergency relief to the people, they added.
They appealed to the federal government to send helicopters to the affected areas to carry out relief operations and save the residents from further losses.

Revisiting the history of Chitral - 1

Translation of a letter from JEMADAR RAB NAWAZ KHAN, News-writer at Chitral, to COLONEL A. G. DURAND, C.B., British Agent at Gilgit, No. 63, dated Chitral, the 4th December 1892.
I regret hundreds of times that Government took no care of us up to this moment. A detail of the incidents and anxieties that came over us can¬not at present be given. The roads having been closed, I could not write to you; however, secretly, I have been sending direct reports to Foreign. Office by way of, Peshawar.
The state of affairs at the present moment is that Sher Afzal fled towards Drosh on the 3rd December. He will probably go to Asmar. About 30 Chitralis have accompanied him. Two messengers of Nizam-ul-Mulk have gone in pursuit of Sher Afzal with a view to bring him back, to make peace with him, and thus to pass time. Sher Afzal has sent all the treasure of the late Mehtar by mules and ponies towards Badakhshan. It is said a few thousands of rupess are still in Shogot. Today, the 4th, I got a kind letter from Captain Younghusband; it gave me the greatest please as if it gave life to a dead man with the troops.
I am therefore going back to Chitral with Sardar Nizam-ul-I have mentioned in mine, of the 4th instant about Sher -Afzal and his sons going towards Badakhshan. I have now come to know that Sher Afzal on his departure gave a reward of Rs. 1,000 to each of the headmen from Latku to Drosh. They have all sworn by the name of God to remain loyal to him and to assist in his becoming Mehtar. Those headmen, by whose conspiracy Afzal-ul-Mulk met his death, were ready to accompany Sher Afzal, but after consultation Sher Afzal directed them to remain in their houses. Therefore all those have remained in their houses. A secret news agent tells me all these people are of one opinion and counsel, and are conspiring to murder Nizam-ul-Mulk like-Afzal. Besides this, Mullas, Mians and great and small men of Chitral are also sorry to lose Sher Afzal and words will not suffice to express their regret. The learned men of Chitral having come to this conclusion have given orders to the effect that, according to the books of Islam, a jihad [religious war] is permitted against Nizam-ul-Mulk. But Sher Afzal finding himself unable to encounter his troops, which he thought were coming, became anxious and fled. Having seen Nizam-ul-Mulk I informed him of all this, and warned him to take care of his life as well as to carry on the work of the country peacefully. In reply; Nizam-ul-Mulk said he cannot do anything himself, all these people having become dishonest.
I wish Colonel Durand or Mr. Robertson would come up here with some sepoys as soon as possible. By the coming of the officers, public opinion will get reformed and my perse¬verance stengthened.
With reference to Muhammad Wali, Mir Wali's son, Nizam-ul-Mulk told me as Muhammad Wali is against him and his presence harmful to him and an hindrance in rendering service to Government, Muhammad Wall had better be taken down to Gilgit and kept there. This would highly oblige Nizam-ul-Mulk, who would appoint a brother of his as ruler of Warshagam, who would do service to Government in a suitable way.
I have learnt that the people from Warshagam to Ghizr want to make Muhammad Wali their Mehtar. Some elders of Mastuj too have agreed with them, and want to throw off the. Ghitral yoke by separating their ilaka. They do not want Nizam-ul-Mulk made their Mehtar. About 40 Warshagum persons are with Nizam-ul-Mulk, and do not want Muhammad Wali for their ruler. In ray opinion if Chitral is divided into two parts, i.e., Chitral with Nizam-ul-Mulk, and Warshagam with Muhammad Wali Khan, this will end l to the Government work, and cause displeasure and harm to Nizam-ul-Mulk. A son of the late Mehtar by his Asmari wife has from fear of Nizam-ul-Mulk gone over to Umra Khan. The boy's sister is a wife of Umra Khan.
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Translation of a letter from SAEDAE NIZAM-UL-MULK to LIEUTENANT-COLONEL A.G. DURAND, British Agent at Gilgit, Sated the 13th December 1892.
After compliments. - I have already informed you of the flight of Sher Afzal's son from Drasan and Sher Afzal himself from Chitral. The full particulars of their fight are that Sher Afzal himself fled by way of Askari. In his critical position he did not go by pony road. None from this country went with him. Thirty of his servants have been capture. I have been up to this time in. Drasan making arrangements. Now I start for Chitral. As my Government is quite a new one, I hope you would, as you cannot youself come up, send some other officer for settling affairs here and satisfying the people. It is absolutely necessary. Mir Wali's son is at the
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No. 2923, dated the 22nd December 1892.
From - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL A.G. DURAND, C.B., British Agent La Gilgit, To - SARDAR NIZAM-UL-MULK, Chitral.
After compliments. - I have received your letters, and congratulate you on the successful result of your actions. When parting with you I said I hoped to see you next as Mehtar of Chitral. By the will of God, your own courage and the help of your friends you have obtained your object; may your success be permanent and your rule assured. I have not sent in an officer to you at once for the reasons I verbally gave you; but I have received the authority of the Supreme Government to despatch the mission which was to have started under Mr. Robertson at the fitting moment. At present Mr. Robertson is occupied with Chilas affairs. All is well there, and our troops occupy Chilas; but there may be some further fighting, as the Koli Palas people are said to be sufficiently foolish as to meditate an attack on the force. The result will be severe loss to them.
All this causes delay, but need cause you no anxiety. You have now occupied Chitral and made yourself master of your, father's dominions. Remember, I beg of you, the ad rice I gave you here before you started. Murders, oppression, arid threats lost your brother his life arid power. Your nature is, I believe, against a repetition of such cruelty, as your interests are against any such folly. Use every endeavour to gain over your uncle's late adherents; the majority was, bought by "him, and the little hold he had over them is shown by their desertion of his cause. Be firm and just, and if you have to punish, which is quite possible, do so judicially. The people have proved themselves on your side and if you are resolute, your power will increase every day. About Yasen remember what I told you; Muhammad Wali is coming here to see me, and can do you no harm/now. You must treat him as a friend not as an enemy, aid do not think of displacing him now as Governor of Yasen.
Consult Jemadar Rab Nawaz Khan freely on important matters.
I am sending back to Chitral she Vakils, Tahamal Shah, Mustamir Khan and Sidk Ali Shajb, who went to Kashmir this spring. I trust this will find you in good health. Be assured of my friendship and of my 'wish for your welfare.
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P.S.—Since writing above, I have received orders from Government, saying that. Captain- Younghusband should now be sent, to Chitral, and that troops should remain in Yasen.
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No. 2924, dated the 22nd December. 1892
From The British Agent at Gilgit, To — Khan Bahadur JEMADAR RAB NAWAZ KHAN, News writer at Chitral. After compliments. - I have received your two letters, dated 4th and 11th December 1892, I did not write to you during the recent troubles in Chitral, because I knew that Sher Afzal would read any letters sent. I have been most anxious about your safety and that of Ghulam, Mohi-ud-din, and have done my best to ensure it. Now things, so far as you are concerned, appear to be going well which is a great relief to me. There are two main points in your letters. The rule of Yasen, and the sending of a British officer to Chitral. As regards the former. I pointed out repeatedly to Nizam-ul-Mulk that in his own
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Yasen against him by any attempt to displace him now bygone of his brothers. The second point is the deputation of a British officer immediately await the orders of Government about this, but do not propose to send one. If all goest well, a mission will go under Mr. Robertson as originally and that so soon as seems advisable; you can assure all of this. But there must be some delay, as Mr. Robertson cannot the Indus valley just at present. I told the Sardar again and again that he must by his own exertions and by the free will of the people make himself Mehtar. He has succeeded and must play his own game. I am perfectly aware that the help the Chitralis considered I was giving him turned the scales in his favour, and that he needs our support; but, as I have told the late Mehtar and his sons time without number, Government will not interfere in the internal affairs of the country. Nizam-ul-Mulk has a strong party and able men on his side, and must strain every nerve to make himself stronger and more popular.
There must be no retaliation or murders such as ruined Afzal-ul-Mulk. I look to you to make him act firmly and sensity. If the has to punish treachery as he may be forced to do in self-defence, see that the thing is done judicially before the Mullas. What has become of Inayat Khan, Wafadar Khan, Ghulam, and are any of the legitimate sons of the late Mehtar still alive? The news from the Indus valley is good. Our troops hold Chilas, but I expect another attack from the Koli Palas people to take place either today or tomorrow which will be defeated as usual. After writing above received orders from Government, saying Captain Younghusband should go now to Chitral, and that the Government force should remain in Yasen.

Drosh hospital a picture of complete neglect

Report GH Farooqui

CHITRAL: Drosh, some 45km from here, is one of the oldest and historical towns of Chitral. The first hospital was established here in 1929 but it could not be upgraded even after the passage of one whole century. The Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) is serving a huge population of 60,000. One post of BPS 19 and one of BPS 18 senior medical officer are lying vacant since long besides four posts of specialists (surgicalt, medical, paeds and gynae) are also vacant. As well as posts of six medical officers and five charge nurses are also lying vacant in the hospital.

The X-Ray machine is out of order and the dental unit is also not running properly although there is a new brand X-Ray machine but due to low voltage and irregular supply of electricity it is not working. The generator of the hospital has also developed technical fault and could not supply electricity to the hospital even in an emergency situation.

Dr Iftikhar Khilji, Medical Officer In-charge, said the hospital also manages minor operations but was facing lack of basic facilities. Dr Saeeda Rabbani said there was no facility in the labour room while only one nurse has been detailed from Chitral hospital. The EPI unit is also in a very dilapidated condition and its building is likely to be collapsed. A female patient complained about lack of facilities in the hospital and demanded posting of more doctors in the hospital. Social and political circles of the area also appealed to high-ups of the health department for filling the vacant posts and providing other missing facilities in the hospital.

Afghan govt detains Chitral trucks

Report GH Farooqui, Chitral

CHITRAL: A convoy of 70 trucks carrying edible goods and LPG gas from Peshawar to Chitral via Afghanistan was detained at Jalalabad, Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan said while talking to this scribe.

He said the trucks carrying edible items, gas cylinders etc., were on their way from Peshawar to Chitral via Torkham-Jalalabad road but they were stopped by Afghan authorities. He said the Afghan government was demanding Rs25,000 per truck as tax. However, if their demand is met the prices of the items would further go up. He said some six trucks were allowed to continue their journey to Chitral which were carrying vegetables and were about to decompose. He hoped that the remaining trucks would also be released. These trucks have been stranded for the last five days at Afghan territory, he added, saying they were trying to convince the Afghan govt to release them.

Making Chitral Bazaar a Hyde Park in winter

Report Bashir Hussain Azad
Frequent gatherings and rallies in Chitral bazaar by various political and non-political leaders have become order of the day. Although rallies, meetings and processions are part of democratic and political process to motivate and ensure the participation of a maximum number of the masses and project the demands of the people but the case with the political leaders of Chitral is different. Here with the closure of the Lowari top, problems of the people aggravate. Govt this year failed to sign an agreement with Afghan authorities to get the Kunar-Afghan road opened for the transportations of goods and daily-use items from Peshawar to Chitral which caused shortage of essential commodities of life e.g LPG, milk etc. Again Govt failed to arrange C-130 and extra PIA flights for Chitral as a result hundreds of passengers are stranded both in Peshawar and Chitral. Then 20 hours long loadshedding further added to the miseries and hardships of the people.
All these problems and sufferings have made the people of Chitral angry and frustrated and people have lost their confidence and trust in their leaders and the Govt. The political leaders realize this situation and are making failed attempts to restore the confidence and trust of their voters in them by holding daily corner meetings, political gatherings and rallies.
Now the people are aware of the tactics of their leaders and opine that such political moves are aimed at diverting the attention from the real issues. People are of the view that instead of arranging these rallies and making false promises and character assassination of each other, our leaders should forget their difference and take concrete steps for the development of Chitral and leave it to the people to decide in the coming election because people are the best judge.

Four including three of a family killed in Yarkhun avalanche

Report GH Farooqui, Mastuj

CHITRAL: Four persons including a couple and their four-year-old son were killed when they were hit by a heavy avalanche in Unawuj village of Yarkhun valley on Saturday.
According to police station Mastuj, the four were on their way from Unawuj to another village when they were buried alive under the avalanche. Those who died were identified as Feroz Khan, son of Faraz Khan, who worked as a spoy in Chitral Scouts, his wife and his son Ali Ahmad, 4 years, and another man Affas Khan, son of Khair Ali of Inkip village of Yarkhun.
SHO Mastuj Mohammad Sattar Khan told this scribe that they had also also received information that another avalanche had hit Kan Khoon village killing a large number of cattle.

Markhor population swells in Chitral

Report Zahiruddin, Chitral



Wildlife conservators have observed increase in the population of Kashmiri Markhor in the Tushi Gol game reserve near here, said an official on Thursday.

Qimat Nazim Baig, who works for conservation of wildlife in the area said that the protected site was attracting domestic tourists due to the growing population of the animal.

The area was reserved for the former rulers of the Chitral state where only the sitting ruler used to go for hunting. The place was known for the biggest population of Markhor but their number reduced to 16 in 1980 due to unabated hunting.

Mr Baig said the local community had moved the idea of conservation and now the Markhor population had reached 640 animals according to the latest census report. He said a village conservation committee, Al-Burhan, had been taking care of the species in the area for two decades.

He said Markhors which could be seen across the Lotkoh River in their natural habitat attracted a large number of people.

“In the late afternoon the sight of the frolicking animals makes unforgettable moments of life, which can be seen just opposite the bank of the river where they throng for drinking water,” he said in an excited tone.

He said the wildlife department had so far issued 23 hunting permits and had earned millions of rupees. Only the other month a Norwegian hunter, Oyvind Christensen, hunted a Kashmiri Markhor in the Tooshi game reserve and paid $81,200 as permit fee.

He said 60 per cent of the income from such permits went to the local community who utilised it for their collective well-being and it made them more conscious to preserve the wildlife. He said another special feature of the game reserve was the presence of another endangered species of snow leopard in the winter season, where it descended from the higher altitude.

Mr Baig observed that when the number of Markhors was on decline, the snow leopard had also disappeared from the scene long ago. He was of the view that distribution of biodiversity in a location was natural and the disturbance of one species caused extinction of the other as well.

He said many rare species of birds also adorned the game reserve, which also included partridge (Chakor).

He maintained that the peculiarity of the reserve was the presence of the national animal (Markhor) and the national bird (Chakor).

He suggested that the department of tourism should provide physical facilities to the area, adding the former ruler of Chitral, Sir Shujaul Mulk, had also established a summer bungalow which still existed.

Skill development for women stressed

CHITRAL: The only way to empower women is through imparting them technical training and enhancing their skill, said MNA Shahzada Muhiuddin while visiting the Chinar Arts and Craft Center (handicraft) at Mughulandeh here.
He said environment of Chitral, as compared to other districts of NWFP, was very condusive for women to gain and earn their livelihood. He said women of Chitral are very hardworking and their handmade products and handicrafts are popular in all parts of the country and abroad.
He assured the organization of his full cooperation in its efforts to provide job opportunities to women.
Earlier, the MNA also inaugurated a women's waiting room at Shiaqo Tek constructed by Legal Awareness Program for Human Rights (LAPH). He was briefed by Chairman Board of Directors LAPH Niaz Ali Shah regarding their aims and objectives and achievements in Chitral.
Zaibun Nisa, councillor, thanked LAPH for constructing the center. She said hundreds of women especially girl students of different colleges and schools were facing great problems due to unavailability of such a waiting room. --GH Farooqui

Another suicide case in Chitral

CHITRAL: Another man committed suicide this time in Reshun village on Tuesday night. According to the Booni police, Sultanud Din, son of Zainul Abideen, 40, locked himself in his room in his residence and opened fire on himself with a 12 -ore rifle. He died on the spot.
The body was recovered from the room after breaking the door open. The Booni police registered a case and have started investigations. The reasons behind his step could not be ascertained till filling of this report.
It may be noted taht this is the fourth case of suicide in Chitral this year.
Meanwhile, Chitral town and its suburban areas remained covered under fog and smoke on Wednesday after heavy snowfall. Visibility was very poor and traffic was suspended for a few moments as it was risky due to slippery road and fog. PIA also did not operate its flights to the valley.--GH Farooqui

Locals protest denial of promised jobs in Golen Gol power house

CHITRAL: The residents of Koh union council have warned the federal government that if they were not considered for appointment against non-technical and lower grade posts in the under-construction Golen Gol Hydropower Station, they would launch a protest movement.

Addressing a public gathering in Chitral, the representatives of the area including Nisar Ahmed, Qazi Abdur Rauf and Sharif Hussain said hundreds of residents of Koghozi had been rendered homeless due to construction of the power house and were promised employments in lower grades.

They, however, regretted taht the governmnet had now advertised the posts for whole province in utter disregard of the pledge causing unrest and frustration among the residents. Thye said even the posts of security guard, peon, gardener and cook were being denied to the affected people and offered to non-locals.

They said they had given their fertile land to Wapda for construction of the 106 MW power house but in return they were being cheated and ignored.

They said after dispossessing their landed properties, the affected people were experiencing abject poverty but the government had done nothing for their rehabilitation.

The protesters also chanted slogans against Wapda and the government on the occasion--Zahiruddin

Khowar dictionary launched

PESHAWAR: The first-ever dictionary of Khowar was launched here with a pledge to work for the promotion of the language.

Naji Khan Naji, a retired teacher from Torkhow tehsil of the upper Chitral, has compiled the 600-page dictionary consisting of about 16,000 words of the language, which is overwhelmingly spoken in Chitral district and parts of Gilgit.

Though an American author had compiled a dictionary of Khowar language in Roman words in the past, in Urdu script Naji’s contribution is the first effort to provide a comprehensive dictionary of their own words to almost 800,000 people speaking Khowar language across the country, including Chitral, Gilgit and other cities where migrants from the Northern Areas have settled.

The Peshawar chapter of Anjuman Tarraqi Khowar had arranged the function wherein the dictionary was launched. Khwaja Saeed Ahmad Saeed, general secretary of the Anjuman, said Khowar language was the third largely spoken language of the NWFP and Northern Areas. He said about 0.8 million people in Chitral, Gilgit and other parts of the country spoke the ancient language.

Participants of the ceremony through resolutions demanded Khowar language programmes from the state-run television. They demanded that Khowar language programmes should be broadcast from Channel-1 of the state-run radio, as its broadcasts from Channel-2 could not be heard in the valley.

Another resolution sought resumption of publication of monthly ‘Jamhoor-e-Islam’, upgrading of Chitral radio station and arrangements to introduce Khowar language in schools at the primary level.

NWFP Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan in his address as chief guest assured that the demands would be met. He said the matter of telecasting Khowar language programmes and broadcast on Channel-1 had already been brought into the notice of federal government and would be pursued properly.

Two noted academicians from Chitral, Professor Israruddn and Dr Ismail Wali, read out papers on the occasion and critically analysed the newly compiled dictionary.

Former MNA and Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, and others also spoke on the occasion and lauded the contribution of Naji for the Khowar language. Maulana Chitrali said the dictionary would prove to be a milestone in the development of Khowar language.

Hajis irked by poor arrangements

Dawn
By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD: Despite the inspiring slogan of “A Haji served is one Haj earned”, Pakistani authorities and officials got the ire of the pilgrims during Haj 2008 by failing to ensure required facilities and provide guidance to them despite arbitrarily increasing the Haj charges on fictitious grounds.
Though Pakistan’s flags fluttered high in all vantage points, particularly at Mina, government officials and other functionaries including the Khuddamul Hujjaj were explicit by their absence where they were needed. As a result, the pilgrims, mostly aged above 70 years, suffered the most and many of them remained untraced for days.
The arrangements, including accommodation and transportation, for the Hajis in the holy land are made by Saudi Mualims who receive advance fee from each Haji along with transportation charges. However, neither the Mualims visited the Hajis to listen to their complaints nor provided them sufficient transport vehicles particularly from Makkah to Mina, Arafat and back. After waiting for over 12 hours for the buses, the devotees had to hire taxis on exorbitant rates to reach Mina from Makkah. As the Taxi drivers dropped them at the entry point of the tent city, the Hajis had to spend hours in scorching sun to locate their places of stay in the labyrinth of tents. Many of them spent the first night under the open sky after failing to trace their tents and the next morning had to reach Arafat on foot. Elderly Hajis without company had to suffer the most and many of them remained missing during the five-day rituals. Over 40 to 50 Hajis were crammed into a single tent at Mina making it difficult for them to sleep or even move about and stretch their feet. Instead of providing accommodations to the Hajis close to each others like other countries had done, Pakistani tents at Mina were scattered near Kubra Abdul Aziz and Kubra Faisal etc., while the Haj Mission had reportedly set up its office over four kilometers away, making it difficult for the pilgrims to approach it. Many of the Hajis were also seen screaming in search of their missing relatives particularly outside Jamrats but there was no Pakistani official to help them.
Unlike in the past, the government this time had abolished the white and green category systems for selection of the Hujjaj. The Haj air fares were increased from Rs46,000 last year to Rs85,000 on the plea that petroleum prices were on the rise in the international market. However, when the POL prices started decreasing, the fares were not adjusted, saying an agreement had already been signed with the PIA fixing the Haj fares at Rs85,000 which cannot be reversed.
Besides, the ministry of religious affairs had initially announced that after deduction from the Rs200,000 Haj dues on account of building rents, transport charges and other expenses including the Haj fee to be paid to the Saudi government, each Haji would be given at least 1,300 riyals to meet their day-to-day expenses. However, when the pilgrims reached the Haji camps before their departure they were informed that the amount had been slashed to 750 riyals. Those coming from far-off areas could not arrange extra riyals within the short period and had to face a lot of financial problems. Many of them skipped at least one time’s meal daily during the 40-day stay in the holy land while some were also seen receiving food being distributed among the Indian pilgrims at Mina.
The Pakistani Hajis were angry at the government for its failure to provide basic facilities to them despite increasing the Haj dues from less than Rs130,000 in 2007 to Rs200,000 in 2008. It was learnt that initially the government had decided to fix the Haj charges at Rs150,000 per pilgrim but later an amount of Rs50,000 was added to it without any justification. The Hajis frequently cited the example of India which had charged its Hajis in three categories ranging from Rs85,000 to Rs97,000 and provided them far better facilities. The Pakistani Haj directorate at Makkah even failed to hire accommodations near the Haram though many buildings were reported vacant till the end. The Hajis were housed in distant places like Azizia, etc., due to which they also faced lots of hardship in reaching Kaaba as transport was not available. Even private tour operators with their offices in Pakistan had managed to rent buildings in the nearby localities of the Haram at much lower rates.
Most of the buildings hired for the Pakistanis were in dilapidated conditions. In one such building at Jarwal (Quba), the Pakistanis spent their 30-day stay protesting against shortage of water and other facilities. Four to seven pilgrims were accommodated in one room in the four-storey building and each one of them was charged 100 riyals per day. The building which housed over 700 pilgrims lacked maintenance with broken and missing fixtures. Besides, there was no arrangement for cleanliness and the house keeping staff always refused to clean the rooms. The pilgrims were often seen gathering in the compound and protesting against shortage of water. However, there were no officials either from the Pakistan House or the building management to answer to their complaints. Staff deployed supposedly to serve the Hajis by the building owner remained busy in running their own small business at the reception by selling tea and eatables to the Hajis. Similar complaints were also received from most of the pilgrims in other areas of Makkah.
Though government’s working right from receiving the Haj application forms to preparation of Haj-related documents was appreciated, the pilgrims were of the view that accountability and coordination among government officials deputed on Haj duty should be ensured to facilitate the pilgrims in performing the religious obligation with peace of mind.

The writer performed Haj in the year 2008.

Chitrali youth murdered in Taxila

Chitral Update Report, Islamabad

The Taxila police have found the bullet-riddled body of a Chitrali young man from the Margallah Hills. The deceased has been identified as Sharifullah, 25.

The body has been kept at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Taxila. The police said some passersby informed them about the presence of the bullet-riddled body on the hills. The police reached the spot and shifted the body to the hospital.

Health, education sectors top govt’s priority list: minister

PESHAWAR: NWFP Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan said that the present government gives top priority to education and health sectors and revolutionary steps were being taken for the improvement of both the sectors.
He expressed these views, while talking to a delegation from Drosh, Chitral that called on him at his office on Saturday. The provincial minister said that the government was taking steps to bring the backward areas at par with the other developed areas in the field of education and health.
The delegation apprised the minister of the problems being faced by the people of its area including those related to health, education and power supply.
The minister assured the delegation of solving these problems on priority basis and said that the government alone cannot improve the situation of educational institutions without full participation of the community.
He urged the parent-teacher committees to play an active role in ensuring the attendance of teachers at schools in their respective localities and report the absence of teachers to the concerned authorities so that action can be taken against the teachers negligent of their duties.
The delegation demanded to upgrade the primary school of the area to middle school keeping in view the needs of the people.
The minister directed the concerned authorities to send proposal to the provincial government regarding up-gradation of the school, so that it could be included in the next annual development programme. -- APP

All-parties moot demands opening of Lowari Tunnel

Report Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral
An all parties meeting was held at the Govt Commerce College Chitral in which a great number of political activists belonging to different parties, nazims, representatives of trade unions and transport unions participated. The meeting was chaired by District Nazim Haji Maghfirat Shah.
The main point of the meeting was how to solve the transportation problem of edible items; sugar, oil and gas that have fallen short in the market and their prices have skyrocketed. Serious patients referred to Peshawar for specialized treatment have suffered a lot owing to the unavailability of the conveyance facility. The meeting termed the route via Afghanistan risky in these days and unanimously demanded that Lawari tunnel if opened twice a week or for two hours every day will solve the problem. Haji Maghfirat Shah District Nazim Chitral, Muhammad Hakim Khan Advocate General Secretary PPP, Jamaat Islami Ameer Maulana Ghulam Muhammad, Syed Ahmed President Muslim Legue (Q) Balinas of JUI, Sartaj Ahmed Khan Tehsil Nazim, Habib Hussain Mughul President of Trade Union, Muhammad Sardar and President Chitral Press Club Shah Murad Baig during their speech told that the authorities of SAMBO and other consultant have agreed for the limited use of the tunnel and have termed it quite feasible but they asked astonishingly as who was impeding the approval of the opening of Lawari tunnel. District Nazim said that at this critical juncture of Lawari tunnel is not opened, an uncontrollable law and order situation will prop up. Hence all the speakers stressed that Lowari tunnel should be opened immediately for the common people.

Chitral-Ishkashem highway - Letter

Different letters have been published in online news regarding Chitral-Ishkashem highway. We shall appreciate the individuals who have started thinking about such an important project. There are alternative routes to link Chitral with Central Asian countries. We shall try our best to convey information to the concerned authorities to conduct feasibility survey and decide the best route.
Our main objective should be to link Chitral with Central Asian countries whether it is through air service or land. Flights and vehicles shall leave from Chitral main town; the people of upper and lower Chitral shall be unbiased keeping in view the bright future of Chitral and its inhabitants and there shall be no leg pulling
Few points shall be considered while suggesting the feasible route.
First distance shall be minimum so that there shall be less time spent in travelling
Route shall be all weather to ensure regular movement
Route shall be safe and secure
One time cost does not matters, main problem is maintenance cost after construction, it is practical experience that in mountainous areas high cost will be incurred at the time of construction but maintenance cost very low.
There are different routes to link Chitral with Central Asian Countries few of them are under:
Broghil side is one option, distance is lengthy, it is soft area initial cost of construction could be the same as other areas; there are no main rocks in the way for tunneling. But the main hurdles are; maintenance cost will be high, travelling time as compared to other sides will be more.
Second option is from Karimabad side, a portion of Trichmir Mountain lies at the boundary of Chtiral and Afghanistan, in the foot of Trichmir there is a large cave that was used to travel between Chitral and Afghanistan before creation of Pakistan for trade purposes. Some people living in Karimabad told that it was about 2 km lengthy cave, dacoits from Afghanistan have used this route to attack on Chitral, for defense point of few this cave was blocked from Chitral side. According to the remarks of the people with little efforts this cave can be reopened, such people can identify the side where the cave starts, jeeb able road has been constructed up to Terichmir, so this is another option. From Chital to Karaimabad and Terichmir distance is only 52 km, after crossing the cave, distance to Tajikistan bourder is 35km.
Third Option is Akram Gole Arkari, now a days people of Arkari use to travel to Afghanistan using this route, total distance from Arkari to Afghanistan takes about one and half day on foot. A gentle men from Siwakht who called Pir has migrated to Afghanistan, his children are now living there, people of Arkari are visiting frequently Afghanistan to meet such individuals, it is a safe side, there is no law and order issue. People of Arkari almost purchasing animals cows and goats from Afghanistan. This route is used for transportation of narcotics opium by Afghan people because there is less restrictions by law enforcing agencies as compared to Broghol and Garumchashma. Distance from Chitral to Oveer Arkari is only 50 km, if this route selected low cost will be incurred in construction and maintenance also. After establishment of proper check posts transportation of narcotics will be controlled.
Forth option is Shah Silim Garumchashma, link road has already been constructed from Garumchashma to Zebak Afghanistan in early nineties, due to defense point of view during Taliban attack on Afghanistan this route was closed. Now there is a need of repair and it would be possible with low repairing cost. The main hurdle is the rock exists at the boarder of Garumchasham and Afghanistan, area is feasible but 3 km tunnel has to be excavated to make it all weather route. The initial cost could be the same or little high as compared to other sides but maintenance cost after construction will be very low. This touches the Badakhsan Province of Afghanistan there is no law and order issue in this province, all people were in Garumchashma and Chtiral during afghan war, they have good relation with Chitralis. This side is most feasible for road construction.
It will take 5-10 years to complete the road if any one of the above sides selected for construction of road, but we shall think about the shortest time period to have linkage between Chitral and Central Asian Countries. The only solution of this issue is air service between Chitral and Khorog Tajikistan. According to the remarks of pilots of Aga Khan Foundation who used to flew from Chitral Air Port to Khorog Air Port the maximum time is 30 minute, which is the shortest time in any international travel.
From Karachi to Khorog there is chartered flight service almost on a weekly basis, a large number of passengers are going to Karachi from NWFP and Punjab to Karachi to avail flight for central Asian countries, with efforts and struggle this route can be changed. If higher authorities contacted and motivated to start flights from Chitral to Khorog even twice a week this could be feasible both for passengers and PIA authorities. From Islamabad to Karachi air ticket is more than Rs. 10,000, but passengers will pay only 3,600 for Islamabad to Chitral flight, further cost from Chitral to Khorog will be less as compared to Karachi to Khorog flight. The existing ATR planes can be used from Chitral to Khorog.
Every Chitrali shall try its best to convey the message to higher authorities, in this regard I would especially request to Shahzada Sirajul Mulk and Fardad Ali Shah who have good relations with the higher authorities to discuss the possibilities with PIA and other government officials. MNA Shahzad Muhaidin and Minister for Population Welfare Salim Khan are also requested to please raise the matter in their respective platforms to initiate flight service between Chtiral to Khorog.

Shamsher Khan
Golimar, Karachi

Four killed by stray dogs in Arandu

CHITRAL: As many as four persons lost their lives after being bitten by stray dogs
within the last three days in Arandu village.
According to Haji Sher Mohammad, Nazim Union Council Arandu, more than one dozen people were also injured. Those who died were Adeena Khan, Izharul Haq, a five-year-old child Malang and Toor Khan.--GH Farooqui

Train through Lowari Tunnel opposed

DAWN

By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chitral chapter leader Fardad Ali Shah has asked the federal government to reconsider laying railway track in the recently-dug Lowari Tunnel.
“The tunnel having the total length of 8.5 kilometres has become a reality for the Chitralis and a milestone in the history of Chitral. The important point now is to rethink as to whether we really need a railway track through the tunnel when all kinds of vehicles are already capable of driving through it,” he said while talking to Dawn.
The NHA and the Korean Sambu Construction Company vehicles are plying comfortably through the tunnel from one end to the other which proves the tunnel is now fit to take in vehicles, he added.
In the first phase of the project, excavation work was completed on January 14, while in the second phase, railway track will be laid through the tunnel at an estimated cost of Rs5 billion.
Mr Shah said even if we overlooked its whooping initial cost, railway service through the tunnel is an avoidable external factor and additional liability with all its associated problems like operating cost, maintenance, mismanagement, breakdowns, etc., besides it will be causing an unnecessary wastage of time in loading/unloading of vehicles on the train at both the ends. Involving a railway system should best be avoided when the tunnel without it is capable of doing the needful, he said.
There are much longer, equally narrow, tunnels in Europe including the 1980-constructed Gothard Tunnel in the Swiss Alps which is 16.3 kilometres long and is a single-lane road tunnel.
In case of the Lowari Tunnel, at most a couple of additional ventilation ducts may be needed to be installed to be used as a regular road tunnel. Giving block timings for up/down traffic can regulate traffic through the tunnel. (The proposed railways system also is a one-way system).
What is more important is to judiciously use Rs5 billion saved by scrapping the railways system.
Mr Shah, a retired wing commander of PAF, said the saved amount could be used to construct a series of hydropower stations in Chitral and provide cheap electricity to the people to uplift their living conditions, protect forests and encourage small cottage industries requiring electricity.
Provision of affordable electricity is a need of the people, second only to the need for an all-weather road. By the grace of Allah, we achieved the all-weather road target, Shah said, adding that now, priority should be given to fulfilling our energy requirement.

Woman commits suicide in Chuinj

MASTUJ: A young woman committed suicide due to domestic problem in Chuinj village on Friday.

The 22-year-old, daughter of Sharif Khan, was reprimanded in the house over some domestic issue after which she went into a room and hanged herself. The girl had passed intermediate exam and was unmarried.

New Zakat chairman for upper Chitral

CHITRAL: A meeting of chairmen local zakat Committees held at Beyar Local Support Organization office in Booni under the chair of District Zakat Chairman Mohammad Ismail elected Abdul Rehman as zakat chairman for upper Chitral.
The participants also discussed various issues and problems of inhabitants of upper Chitral. As there was no chairman nominated for upper Chitral, people had been facing great problems. The meeting suggested different names for the post and later all the members agreed upon the name of Mr Rehman.
On this occasion, the district zakat chairman also distributed cheques among the deserving people of Booni. --GH Farooqui

Gas-fired 320 MW power plant for Pakistan

It is in apropos of a news item that the government will get 320 MW of gas-fired power plant from UAE. Our President himself was present at the time of the handing over ceremony. It shows our President’s personal interest and his government's terms with UAE that in the time of dire need of electricity we have received such a valuable powerhouse which even can be operational with gas-fired. Let’s stop this incident here. First I will quote the example of my own district Chitral. We have three thermal power stations lying inoperative
in the time of severe load shedding period: one is in Tehsil Molkhoh and the other in Mastuj while the third one is in proper Chitral. On asking the reason for these inopearive thermal power houses, the authorities bluntly say that the government doesn’t give us diesel to run the powerhouses. So what about the new gas-fired power plant; will our brotherly UAE govt also give us gas to run it otherwise Wapda never bothers to run such power stations within the country.
Another aspect of this charity we received wrapped into the cover of gift from the UAE Govt is surprising. Why we the people of Pakistan always ask for charities from different countries, sometimes for oil or financial and powerhouse? After all we are the nuclear country. Doesn’t our scientists have any capability to manufacture such kind of powerhouse? Because the Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, “That the upper hand is better than the lower one”. Is it our fate and destination to ask for aid all the time? It is not the proper time to change our policies toward the aid centre to the self-sufficiency. If our Govt and we try to make some effective reforms we would be in the position to say no to foreign aids forever. It is the universal truth that those nations who look for foreign aids and never rely on their own resources never progress in any field.
So it is now the responsibility of our "popular" Govt to lead the nation towards self-sufficiency and economical independency, while using and relying on our own sources instead of foreign aid.

Bashir Hussain Azad
Chitral.

Chitral receives fresh rain, snowfall

CHITRAL: Heavy Rain and snowfall again lashed Chitral bringing down the temperature and blocking roads in a number of valleys particularly in the upper areas on Wednesday.

The rain started on Wednesday morning and till evening it had intensified in all parts of the district including the Chitral town keeping the residents indoor.

In upper Chitral which was already blanketed in over half a foot snow, the fresh snowfall has blocked many villages creating problems for the people in getting essential commodities especially firewood.

Most of the people in Chitral describe this year’s record rain and snowfall as a blessing coming on the heels of the epoch-making change due to the construction of Lowari Tunnel.

Chitral-Shikashim Highway

I used to live in Chitral for quite long time during the Afghan War and I travelled through Broghil and Durah so many times, I was doing stone business in Chitral. This is the only source to read this online news paper to be incontact with Chitrali people. I always remember the Chitrali people, their simplicity, honesty and hospitality. I have enough information about the route which is more discussed in the local online news papers. What is feel I want to extant this topic into you online news papers as well because too many readers browsing the online newspaper. Currently, I have a leather business in the Nothern City of Tajikistan "Khujand". The letter I am pasting bellow also you can find in attahced file,

Regards,

Mirza Muhammad Ziayie
Khujan - Tajikistan

Chitral – Ishkashem Highway Project
During my studies in Kazakistan one of my colleagues awed me very much, there were two reasons; one I was not a good reader, weak in studies and second I was not good as my friend was in Russian. It took me three months; I mean I was so impressed, he was quoting books and writers all the time; one fine morning we were sitting outside the apartment Ms. Dilnozo asked me about my friend Mr. Rahmikodov. I replied; he is very learned guy, and she smile, her impression was showing that something is wrong. I mean to quote the sentence here is, we have to take this debate on a very positive way and on realistic grounds, not the fake materials people do write and we will extract. Whilst, the topic we are talking, is very important for the future generations of Chitral, Badakhshan Afghanistan and Badakhshan Tajikistan. Before I start answering the respectable writers, I can apologize first, because my English is not up to that standard and I am not a good writer
like them. However, I am not personally targeting anyone; it is a kind of experience sharing. During the Afghan war several times I traveled to Chitral from Badakhshan and Chitral to Badakhshan via Durah, Khatinza and once from Broghil. During my student life and even now I have very frequent visits to Central Asian Countries, still doing business in Khujan Tajikistan. Last week I traveled from Ishkashem Afghanistan – Tajikistan via Khorog to Dushanbe then fly to Khujand.
First of all, I can comments on the first writer; Mr. I. Aseer’s write up is impressive one; he has a good knowledge about the area from Chitral to up –to Ishkashem Bridge. The same he has written is perceive sound; I met one Chitrali guy in 1994, we travelled from Chitral Town to Garum Chashma, he was helper with the surveyor team, still I remember his name; Syed Alim Shah. During discussion he told that the distance is the same what Mr. I. Aseer has written in his letter. But on the other hand, I will be disagreeing with the distances given by Mr. Aseer between Dushanbe and Chitral is not the correct one. Yes, it is right as Alim Shah told that 185 to 225 like that, it is from Chitral to Ishkashem not Dushanbe it might be miss printed. While, you are travelling from Chitral to Dushanbe that you have to choose three bridges to enter into Tajikistan.
Bridge One (Ishkashem)
The nearest bridge which has access for heavy and light vehicular is Ishkashem the bridge has been inaugurated by HH Prince Karim Aga Khan, Mr. Khalili from Afghan side and Mr. Imam Ali Rahmanov the President of Tajikistan. If you cross that bridge you will enter into Tajikisan there is only one road leads to Dushanbe is the road on the right bank of Oxus River (Darya-e-Panj in Tajikistan and Dary-e-Amu the Afghan people says). The condition is good in most places but, it is difficult to travel in winter time due to heavy snow fall as we experienced last week. Here, I can share with our readers about the distances between Chitral to Ishkashem Tajikistan is similar like that what Mr. I. Aseer has written as I traveled, but it might be less or may be 50 km longer not more than that. While, you are travelling from Chitral to Brogil it is approximately 220 km only in Pakistan side. Beside of that last year July when we went to Brogil in Afghanistan side we
measured by our own jeep distance recorder, it is 110 km from Ishkashem to Khandud the capital town of Brogil and the same from Khandud to Brogil, it means 220 km from Afghanistan side. So, to reach the first bridge through Broghil pass indicates traveling more than 440 km from Chitral to reach Ishkashem Bridge. In one autumn we three friends traveled from Chitral to Ishkashem , it was 1996 and took fifteen days to reach there through Broghil. While, travelling from Chitral to Ishkashem is only three days journey through Durah Pass. Here, I can also mention the distance between Ishkashem to Khorog that is 180 km and distance between Khorog to Dushanbe is 579 km but, if you reached in Khorog one another road is leading to Kirghizstan, so you may go to Dushanbe or other central Asian Country (but only in summer Kirghizistan).

Bridge Two (Shughanan)
The second Bridge also constructed by Aga Khan Development Network between Shughnan Afghanistan to Khorog. Shughnan is like Chitral, six month cut off from the other part of Afghanistan due to heavy snow fall in Shiwa Pass. If you are choosing this bridge to go to Tajikistan then you have to travel to Baharak and then Shiwa pass to Shughan and then Khorog. So, from Ishkashem to Baharak it is approximately 100 km & Baharak to Shughan is approximately the same 100 km the road through Brogil will be 640 to enter into Tajikistan. While, choosing Durah Pass you cannot go to Ishkashem and the distance between Ishkashem and Zebok is 35 km so, between Chitral and Khorog will be 385. Hence, you are in a Central Asian City, you may go to Dushanbe or Kirghizstan from there.
Bridge Three
Sher Khan Bandar the Main Bridge between Afghanistan and Tajikistan
This bridge is situated at a distance of 85 km from Kunduz city, most trade between Central Asian Countries and Afghanistan is accessible through this bridge & route. It is easy for reset of the Asian countries to choose this route rather than the other two bridges, except security the road condition and other infrastructure is very good, if road has been constructed between Chitral to Badakhshan this route will be used sometimes in winter. Here, again I can write the distance between Faizabad the capital city of Badakhshan and Kunduz is 265 and between Ishkashem to Faizabad is 160.
Now I would like to answer the second writer
1. The road will cross through Pakistani Territory (expect Wakhon Strip), what I think is not the the right statement when we are talking about Durah or Broghil, it is only Possible through Arkari to cross the 20 km of Wakhon Strip at Qazdeh, but it is not possible because of the glacier on the way between Arkari and Qazdeh.
2. Every county construct road to see the future feasibility not only to see the current scenario, the future cost of trades and travelers are also being considered. If we think like that the road from Peshawer through Gilgit to Chital is more feasible as compare to Lawari Tunnel. Furthermore, Durah pass was available for vehicular traffic for several years and it has been blocked in several places when Mr. Najmuddin Khan was Commander of Northern Badakhshan due to Taliban fears, only needs repair and expansion.
3. Yes, here I can agree with the writer that very short span of time the road will be constructed, but huge amount will be spend on maintenance or these kinds of roads are constructed for one time. Aga Khan Rural Support Programme built roads even for pastures in Northern Pakistan, Broghil is the only area don’t have road access, what I think is maintenance.
4. Yes, the Broghil road is much easier for Silk Route and if we are thinking about China that this side is 100% more feasible than current KKH between Pakistan & China.
5. Wakhan is six month cut off with other part of Afghanistan due to snow fall and both sides Durah and Broghil are not feasible in winter but using modern technology it can be possible.
6. Finally, we don’t have to be impressed from the Western people and the NOTES OF CHITRAL which written by them, just ask thousand Chitralies & Afghanis living in Chitral have been to Badakhshan during the Afghan war and after that, which part is shortest and more reasonable THAT WE CAN SAY A BEST NOTE.
7. Last but not least, I can comments on the writer’s view & try to correct him; the Capital City of Afghan Province Badakhshan is Faizabad. If you are travelling from Faizabad to Mazar-e-Sharif, you have to go to Takhar Province first then Kuduz Province, then Baghlan Province then Smangan Province then you can enter into Balkh Province and Mazar-e-Sharif is the capital city of Balkh. When we are talking about historical records & trade, we can start from the very recent records i.e. trade during Afghan War (which I was also doing stone business through Durah Pass), at the Time of Mehtar-e-Chitral and Religious Scholars like Hakin Nasir-e-Khisraw and Pir Shams. I can agree with the writer that there are some stories regarding Kirghiz & Chinese people who were using the Broghil route for Pilgrims and trade and still that is feasible for China and the Kirghizstan but that must be another topic like Kashghar or Pamir – Chitral highway not
Chitral – Ishkashem Highway.

Mirza Mohammad Ziayie
Khujand - Tajikistan

Education with a difference

By Islamuddin

The lack of meaningful education is the biggest challenge facing Pakistan and without overcoming this challenge Pakistan can neither develop nor overcome extremism and the culture of intolerance. This situation has persisted in spite of our spending enormous resources in teacher training and mushroom growth of institutions for teacher training.
In this background when I received a letter from the Professional Development Central, Chital (PDCC) of the Aga Khan University informing me that I have been nominated for a six week certificate course in Educational Leadership and Management (ELM), I was in a fix whether to attend the course or not.. Some friends expressed the opinion that there is not much to be learnt from these trainings. As the first segment of the course was due to start in January and I had no other commitments during the month, I decided to join the course. The way the course opened and progressed, I was happily surprised to know that there was so much to be learnt and shared.
The theories and practices discussed during the course had been picked up from successful models around the world, tested and implemented in advanced countries. Discussions on the best practices and their contextualization proved to be fascinating areas for committed teachers. After going through these intensive sessions, the course participants were able to make out sense as to why our education system was not producing desired results. There was consensus among trainees that our teachers fail to be pedagogical leaders. For them teaching was just a job, which only attracted the disgruntled, who lacked commitment to teach and to improve their capacity. Our traditional training modules only re-enforced the existing mindset that trainings were of no practical use except for TA/DA and technical requirements for promotion or a break from school drudgery. No efforts are made to re-engineer the correct mindset, so as to mould the trainees to
become genuine teachers.
The training at PDCC was different. It not only addressed the issue of human re-engineering but also the business process re-engineering. It brought about paradigm shift-in the attitude of trainees and gave them the much needed skills to improve the education scene. The only complaint from the trainees was that they were not allowed space to change things in their institutions. However at the end of the first segment of the training programme the trainees were convinced that given commitment and capacity, way can be found to improve things within the existing system.
There is an urgent need to expand the training activities of PDCC, not only in the education sector but also to extend it to other professions, specially in enterprise development without which Chitralis can not benefit from the post-Lowari emerging world economic order. It is unfortunate that the proposed opening of Aga Khan University campus in Chitral with EU funding, could not materialize and opportunity to gain global reach in education was lost, at least for the time being. In this scenario PDCC provides us a silver lining to update skills of professionals in education and hopefully in other sectors in not too distant a future.
PDCC has proved to be a global level training institution which has brought the most advanced knowledge and skills at the door steps of Chitralis. On the basis of my experience at PDCC I can say with confidence that it will be able to make a difference in our much neglected education sector. It is encouraging to see that all the instructors at PDCC are Chitralis, who know our context. The team is ably led by Dr.Afzal, again a Chitralis, with tremendous commitment to PDC vision. This generous and unassuming scholar along with his dedicated team has put Chitral on the educational map of Pakistan. Today professionals from different parts of Pakistan, including Kashmir and FATA are availing the training opportunities at PDCC. For me my two week stay at PDCC has been most rewarding. It has helped me to conceptualize and contextualize the knowledge and skills that I already have and has also given me additional knowledge and skills to be
more efficient and effective. I found the standard of its faculty and resources to be of global standard of which I have ample experience as I have gone through the training processes at leading institutions like CSA and NIPAs etc. It would be in the fitness of things that the Govt. should get its teachers trained at PDCC and PDCC, on its part should consider starting regular teachers training programmes like PTC,CT,B.Ed and M.Ed to improve the standard of professionalism among teachers and prevent mushroom growth of fake institutions.

Convention to take up Lowari tunnel issue

THE District Council of Chitral has decided to convene a convention of political parties on February 7 to devise a strategy to build presuure on the federal government to open the Lowari Tunnel for the people of Chitral.

The convention will be held in the auditorium of the Commerce College for which invitation cards are being sent to the political representatives in all parts of the district.

The decision has been taken keeping in view the hardships of the people and the government's stubornness to open the tunnel.--Zahiruddin

Another Chitrali killed in Swat

Chitral Today Report

Another Chitrali working in the Chitral Scouts lost his life during clashes with militants in the restive Swat on Tuesday. Sepoy Jan Khan was killed at about 3pm when security forces came under fire in the valley. He was a resident of Inkip in the Yarkhun valley of Chitral.

A number of Chitral Scouts personnel as well as policemen from Chitral have been killed in Swat and FATA. The Chitral Scouts is also taking part in the ongoing operation against militants in the Mohmand Agency.

High LPG, milk prices in Chitral

Report Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral


After the shortage of one an half month, LPG and milk are again available in Chitral bazaar. According to the dealers, they have arranged gas and milk through Afghanistan roads. The LPG is being sold at Rs130/kg whereas the market rate of LPG in Peshawar an other areas is about Rs80/kg. Similarly, milk is being sold at Rs80/litre instead of Rs60/litre. Because of the cold weather and load shedding the common man has no option but to rush to the LPG shops for filling their cylinders.

Local administration didn’t take any action against these high prices of LPG and milk.

World Wetland Day Observed in Chitral

Report GH Farooqui, Chitral

The Wetland Program Pakistan celebrated World Wetland Day at Chitral. In this connection, a quiz competition was held among students of different schools and representatives of NGO at Radio Pakistan Chitral, which was broadcast on Monday to spread the message regarding importance of wetlands.

Mohammad Ali, Project Manager of Protected Area Management Project (PAMP), was chief guest on the occasion. Participants of quiz competition were divided into three groups A,B and C. Each group was asked five questions. After completion of stipulated time, Group A comprising students of Terichmir Model High School scored first position while representatives of Northern Citizen Community Board were declared second and group B of Iqra Model School stood third. The chief guest awarded trophy and cup to the winner and runner up along with cash awards.

Hameed Ahmad Mir, Social Mobilizer of Wetland Program for Pakistan, highlighted the importance of wetland for human life and why they celebrated this day. He said they celebrated this day to commemorate the convention held at Ramsar city of Iran in 1971 to protect wetlands of the world and Pakistan is also signatory to that convention. He said some 225 wetland sites have been discovered in Pakistan out of which 19 were given the status of Ramsar. After that every year government agencies, non-government organizations and groups of citizens at all levels have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar convention in particular. The proposed theme for WWD for the year 2009 is Upstream-downstream wetlands connect us all”. He said that Kurumbara Lake is one of the most famous lake of the world situated at Boroghil valley at the altitude of 14,500 feet.

Ahmad said our organization was looking for alternative energy sources in Chitral especially at Boroghil valley where the temperature remains below freezing point. He said we are trying to create awareness among the masses regarding importance of these wetland sites to protect them and to utilize them for human benefits. He said these wetlands consisting of water resources can be a cause of a green revolution in the area if they are utilized properly for human benefits.

Shahzada Ibrahim Pirzada, Chairman of NCCB, highlighted the aims and objectives of this awareness raising campaign. Later, the chief guest while expressing his views stressed upon the masses to protect these wetlands because water is a great gift of Allah Almighty and we should not waste it. He said we should keep our environment clean for the future of our coming generation.

FDE’s decision to repatriate teachers to home provinces criticised

DAWN

By Zar Alam Khan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: A recent decision of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to repatriate all teachers currently working in the federal government schools in the capital on deputation to their respective provinces or regions after completion of five years has sent a shock wave among the educators, particularly women.
Sources said the FDE was under pressure from ruling politicians to appoint their people and the decision to send back all teachers on deputation was aimed to create vacancies for accommodating the political appointees. So far over 20 teachers have been directed to relinquish work and report back to their respective provinces.
It may be noted that majority of the teachers on deputation are women whose husbands are working in various government departments and private organisations and are posted in the capital. Taking benefit of existing rules facilitating posting of government servants in areas where their spouses lived or worked, hundreds of women from various parts of the country have moved to the capital and some of them have already been regularised by the FDE.
The affected female teachers told Dawn that the move taken by the FDE was arbitrary, anti-women and above all politically motivated. They said on the one hand the PPP government was claiming to be striving for creating job opportunities in the country and was also reinstating sacked government employees but on the other it was taking such steps which would shut the doors of employment on a large number of teachers, especially women.
They said in order to avoid disturbance in their family lives, a large number of women teachers had come to the capital on deputation and now their children were also studying in various educational institutions here. They said due to family constraints, they had sacrificed a number of allowances and other job benefits which they were otherwise entitled to and had been working on the same scale without promotion because as long as they are on deputation they are not included in the seniority list.
“Sending us back to our provinces would mean an end to our careers, because we will not be in a position to go to our areas leaving our children back here,” they added.
They said the new director-general of the FDE, a senior joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, had no authority to take such a decision because it was against rules under which government employees were entitled to get themselves posted in areas where their spouses worked.
They said earlier the facility was available only to those employees whose spouses were also in government jobs. But in 2006, through a special notification titled “Posting of married female government servants at the place of residence/posting of their husbands who are not in government employment”, the federal government also extended the facility to those employees whose spouses worked in the private sector.
The notification dated April 21, 2006, says, “Keeping in view the socio-economic problems and hardships faced by husbands and wives in government service due to posting at different stations of duty, the Establishment Division issued instructions/guidelines vide its O.M. No 10/30/97-R-2, dated 13.5.1998 and 17.12.1999 to facilitate posting of husbands and wives at the same station and the posting of unmarried female civil servants at the place of residence of their parents/families. With a view to also facilitate those female government servants whose spouses are not in government service or working in private sector or are unemployed, it has been decided to extend the facility to this class of government servants too to enable them to serve at the residence of their spouses irrespective of whether such spouses are employed with the government, private sector or even unemployed.”
The teachers said under the existing rules, after completion of five years of deputation teachers were regularised depending on their performance. They said this gave the teachers a chance to spend the remaining period of their service with their families and also motivated them to improve their performance. As a result, majority of the teachers on deputation showed 100 per cent result. They said during the summer vacation last year, about 20 teachers on deputation were regularised by the FDE.
They said if implemented the new decision would put the professional future of a large number of women at risk. They called upon the president, the prime minister and the federal minister for education to restrain the FDE from taking the unilateral decision and save the teachers from mental trauma which the move had caused to them.
When contacted, a spokesman for the FDE, however, clarified that power to extend the deputation period after five years rested with the Establishment Division. He said even after completion of three years’ deputation, further extension was granted by the secretary education. Under the existing rules, he added, maximum period for deputation was five years. After completion of this period, the FDE sends the summary for further extension to the Establishment Division from where it goes to the prime minister for final approval. He said in some recent cases the Establishment Division had turned down the FDE requests seeking extension in the deputation period of teachers.
About absorption after the five-year deputation period, the spokesman said this policy was applied only to teachers in scales 9 and 14 depending on the availability of seats against the deputation quota and the teacher’s satisfactory performance.