Chitrali swindlers in Peshawar -letter

It is very difficult to imagine a Chitrali as a swindler, but times have changed and we have to come to terms with reality. Some months ago a gentleman from Chitral, Mr Dinar was robbed by a boy in Qissa Khwani Bazar Peshawar by giving him some powerful intoxicants with dried mulberries which is a well known winter diet of Chitral.

Some days ago another man from Drosh town of Chitral visiting Peshawar, Habib came across a young boy who introduced himself to be an employee from Balahistar fort who had come to the market to buy some items of utility for a Subedar. The boy engaged Mr.Habib into conversation and gossip and then told him that he was also going to the same portion of the interior of Qissa Khwani Bazar where Habib was going. After some companionship developed between them, the boy gave the man some baked beans to eat. Mr Habib took precaution and did not eat the beans instead put them into his pocket.

After coming to a mosque where he was to stay Habib took out the beans from his pocket and first washed them with water and observed that there was some blue colour getting mixed with water. After he thought them safely washed he tried to have the taste of the beans and soon fell unconscious for two days and was admitted to Lady Readings Hospital before coming to his senses.

What I wish to highlight and warn fellow brethren is to be aware of such swindlers whether male or female and not get chummy with unknown people just seeing they speak Khowar language.

Mohammad Ilyas,
Village Goldoor,

Chitral Town.