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