CHITRAL NEWS 

Chitral-Tajikistan Highway -letter5

Had development of Chitral not been one of the priority of the proposed highway then the highway could have been connected with Pakistan via Kunar at Nawa pass; via Jalalabad at Torkham and via Kandahar in Balochistan. It might be true that Durrah Pass may be the shortest route and it may have been used for trade during the preceding years. But the fact is that this pony-track route was mainly used for transportation of food and weapons during the Afghan struggle against Russians occupying forces and possibly can not be copied for long-term highway for trade and commerce. Again, if Chitral via Lotkoh valley is already connected with Afghanistan then it could be further connected with Tajikistan through Afghanistan through a joint venture project as Afghanistan has its own needs of a highway up to Tajikistan.

It further strengthens the plea that the highway should pass via Broghul Pass because that would also connect large part of Chitral with Tajikistan. Half of Chitral including Mulkow, Torkow and Mastuj are located in Upper Chitral and in the event of constructing the highway via Brogul Pass; this large area of Chitral from Broghul up to Danin would be covered and would get maximum benefits from the highway. 

The highway could also be connected easily with adjoining areas of Northern Pakistan via Shandur Pass at minimum cost thereby connecting almost whole of Chitral with Tajikistan and Northern Areas. Surveys and feasibility reports are not writing on the walls and can be changed if changes are proving beneficial for the greatest number of people in the largest area.
 
After all the aim behind the highway is greatest good to greatest numbers. If that aim could be best achieved by constructing the highway via Broghul Pass, then it is not a big deal to invest some more money on it, even if the distance is a little longer than the Durrah Pass. The Broghul Pass option is safer as it mostly lies within Pakistani territory and it also provides coverage to largest part of Chitral. The ministry of communication may look into the possibility of Broghul Pass with earnestness.
 
Mir Wazir Khan
Awi, Chitral

26 Nov 09.

Chitral-Tajikistan Highway letter4 

This is with reference to the facts provided by Mr. Liaqat Ali regarding the Chitral—Ishkashum Highway. Although Mr. Sultan Mehmood of Garam Chashma and Mr. Mohammad Mirza Ziayee of Khujand, Tajikistan have given a sensible and sound response to it, I would also like to add the following:

1. We must understand that this is a tri-lateral project in which the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan are equally responsible partners. The tri-lateral agreement was signed in Dushanbe (Tajikistan’s Capital) by the presidents of these three countries after considering the feasibility reports prepared for this project. It is therefore wrong to assume that these responsible governments have not taken into account the various facts and feasibilities while signing this very important agreement. To my knowledge, there were four possible locations for this highway and Durah was found to be the most feasible one, not only because of its shortest distance but also because of its strategic location, i.e., Durah provides the most strategic links to these three countries—the link which is acceptable to each of these partner countries. Had Broghil pass been more feasible than Durah, I am sure it would have been considered by these responsible governments.

2. By providing a modest and invalidated amount of facts without referring to any reliable source, Mr. Liaqat Ali appears to assume that the three governments undertaking this mega project are unaware of these facts and that they have signed the agreement without looking at the feasibility reports. No head of a state would be so naïve that he/she would sign for a tri-lateral project without looking at the feasibility and achievability of the project. Are we saying that we know more than the geologists, engineers and the NHA personnel do?

3. We should see this project as a window for the brighter future of Chitral, rather than taking it as an opportunity for our individual business. The Chitral—Ishkashum Highway, whether it is built through Durah or Broghil, will open up economic opportunities for all Chitralis. This is like the “hen which gives golden eggs” and everybody will access to and benefit from the eggs as long as the hen is alive. United we make it—divided we break it. Let’s unite to make it happen!

Fida Mohammad
Arkari, Chitral.

25 Nov 09.

I happened to go through the information and data of distances from Chitral to Boroghil pass and from Boroghil pass to Ishkashim given by Loquat sahib In my humble opinion the MOU on the said project was signed between the heads of the respective states after requisite ground work. The NHA  doesn’t need to rely on the faulty information provided by those who no knowledge of the geography of areas across the border.

Though I also doubt the information about the distance from Chitral to Broghil (260) provided by Liaqat sb, but his claim of 100 km and 3 hours drive from Broghil pass to Ishkashim is absolutely wrong and misleading.  I have worked for an international organization in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan and have undertaken many journeys from Ishkshim to Broghil pass via Wakhan. The actual distance between Broghil pass and Ishkashim is 210 Km and it takes nine hour drive from Iskhkashim to Broghil and vice versa and not 3 hour safe journey. Several such letters appeared on the pages of Chitral News intended to manipulate and reverse the decision of construction of Tajikistan high way via Dorah pass and change the direction of the road through Boroghil valley to  benefit  certain valleys.

We should not forget or deliberately ignore the established fact that the shortest route to Tajikistan is via Dorah pass which is only 220 KM from Chew bridge of Chitral town to the Tajik and Afghan border which is less than half of the distance via Broghil pass. This is also a fact that Chitral was practically linked with Badakhshan via Dorah pass through a jeep able road from 1993 till 1997 and hundreds of people used to commute between Badakhshan and Chitral on every kind of vehicles. The jeep able road still exists.

Business also boomed via Dorah pass for three decades. The records of district council will provide ample proof of the business activities undertaken through Durah route as the council generated revenues of millions of rupees in the form of tax on the movement of goods and live stock between Chitral and Badakhshan for years. The business of precious stones such as emerald and lapis lazuli worth millions was taking place via Durah route. Thousands of live stock used to come to Chitral through Durah pass every year and people of Chitral still have not forgotten mutton being abundantly available in Chitral only for Rs 60 per kg in those days.

The Tajikistan high way project has been agreed between the three countries after thoroughly considering all the technical dimensions and other pros and cons of it. Advocating one’s interest and benefiting from such a project is fine but facts should not be overshadowed by fabricated figures fed to the press and we should avoid making such an important project controversial.

Sultan Mehmood
Garam Chashma Chitral,

24 Nov 09.

I am a regular reader of Chitral News,. It is really a good contribution to highlight the very important issues and opportunities through this online news paper. Let me also comment on this very important topic;

I have to highlight the status about these routes, Last month I read in news paper regarding the press conference of Biyar people about construction of the Chitral–Ishkashem road. It is surprising as some of them are very well educated. Why are some people so much against this important project, They have to be thankful to the communication ministry who initiated the project. During the hard time of Afghan war I  visited Chitral several times through Dorah and once through Broghel pass and I am very familiar with Chitrali people and culture.

I am very neutral and I can just share my experience and I know the distances between Ishkashem to Chitral (Chew Bridge) is 185 km which one of the writers mentioned in his letter to Chitral News, there might be differences of 20 or 30 km not more than that.

One survey was done by NHA when Mr. Burhanuddin Rabbani was president of Afghanistan between Ishkashem to Chitral. At several places it is written in the survey that the distance between Chitral (Chiew Bridge) to Ishkashem is 185 km. Ishkashem bridge means the bridge link Afghanistan to Tajikistan. If the tunnel will be constructed in Dorah Pass then the distance will come down to 150 km.

 Mr. Liaqat Ali mentioned that the distance between Chitral to Broghi Pass is about 260 km from Chitral side. I can give some information regarding Afghanistan side, The closest village to Boroghil Pass is called Sarhad-e-Broghil, and the distance from Ishkashem to Sarhad-e-Broghil is 225 km from Afghanistan side. Total distance from Chitral to Ishkashem via Broghil is 475 km and from Dorah Pass it is 185 km. Although, we are writing it is good, but some ethical norms are also important before writing anything. Thousand of readers are reading Chitral News., If we write false information for our readers, then what can our upcoming generations  expect from us.

 It is very easy that someone can do small research or there are people which I can quote here their names that they have enough information about the area. I read a book about Wakhan written by Chitrali writer Dr.. Inayatullah Faizi from where one can get good information about Wakhan and Broghil Valley.

Last week I met a guy in Zebuk (Afghanistan). He told me about one Chitrali, who use to work with the survey team during Mr. Burhanuddin Rabani’s time,He used to go to his house in Zebuk during the survey time. He is Inayatullah Asseer. of Ayun. If he was with the survey team as a team leader then he can write better about it. Either 185km is feasible of 475 km.

I can humbly request the people of Chitral not to go behind political people. This is the only source of development for all of us whether we are living in Chitral, Afghanistan or Badakhshan Tajikistan. We need this road whether it is through Dorah or Boroghil, but we have to keep the realities in mind.

Mohammad Mirza Ziayee

Khujand - Tajikistan.

23 Nov 09.

Chitral-Tajikistan Highway -letter

As survey is going on by NHA for determining the route for the proposed Chitral-Tajikistan Highway, I would like to put foreword the following data.

Distances and Status of roads and passes in Yarkhun/ Broghil

Name of villages (from and to) Distances Status/Condition Time.

1. Chitral to Booni 87 km Black topped 1996 2 hours
4000 - 5000 (truck able) All weather

2. Booni to Mastuj 33 km Shingle 1976 2 hours
5000 6500 (truck able) All weather
Black topping from Booni to Mastuj and to Shandur Pass is started in 2008.

3. Mastuj to Brep 30 km Shingle 1985 2 hours
6500 - 7500 (jeep able) All weather
Blacktopping from Mastuj to Brep is approved with fund provided by Provincial Government

4. Brep to Darband 42 km Shingle 1987 3 hours
7500 - 9000 Jeep able All weather

5. Darband to Yarkhun
Lasht 30 km Shingle 1990 2 hours
9000 – 11000 Jeep able All weather

6. Yarkhun Lasht to
Kishmanja
(Broghel starts here) 18 km All weather jeepable road constructed 1 hour
11000 - 11500 by Village Organizations with financial support of
AKRSP Chitral in 2008

7. Kishmanja-Broghel Pass 20 km Pedestal 7 hours
11500 - 12480

8. Broghel Pass to Shikashum Truckable 100 km 3 hours
12480 - 10000

Shikashum Afghanistan and Shikashum Tajikistan are border villages located on either sides of
Oxus River called River Amu. Only 3 hours safe drive from Broghel Pass through safe Wakhan to
Shikashum before entering Tajikistan.

Safest link road can easily be built from Vadinkhot to Broghel Pass (20 km). No glacier, rocks, mountains on the way from Chitral to Broghel Pass. Heavy snow can sometime stops traffic.

Chitral-Yarkhun/Broghel Shikashum Highway can be used as safest alternate for China through Shandur Pass.

Chitral-Yarkhun/Broghel Shikashum highway offers easy access to China via Shandur

Liaquat Ali
QASADO, Mastuj.
22 Nov 09.