British lady speaks for Chitralis 1

Chitral -- In a struggle against odds, sometimes one gets support from unexpected quarters. Miss Maureen Lines, a British national and prominent social worker, having been moved by the woes of Chitralis while trying to travel through the Lowari Tunnel, specially the recent cases of travellers being baton charged and some besieged travellers rescued by police,  has written a letter to the concerned Authorities regarding the plight of Chitralis. The copy of the letter is produced below verbatim.

 

18^th March, 2011

Dear Azam Khan,

I have tried a number of times to make an appointment with you, but I gather from your PA, not only are you very busy, but most of your work takes place outside your office.

That being the case I shall have to resort to writing, as time does not wait for any of us…

There are two matters of importance, but I shall only deal with one here, as it is mostly concerning reporting of a matter, rather than a subject which needs much discussion.

 

THE PLIGHT OF THE CHITRALIS

 

Week after week, either on the phone, or reading the Chitral News, I am constantly reminded of the problems these people face day in and day out. When I stay in Chitral in the summer months, I often experience some of the same problems, but now during the winter, the problems are much worse.

 

1. Travelling to Chitral. There are only two ways as you know. You were once DC up there so you must be well aware of some of these problems. One can either use PIA, not known for its reliability! Or one can go by road. This year the people have really suffered thanks to NHA and the Tunnel Co.. Supposedly the tunnel is being built to ameliorate the problems of the people. To either close it or just give two hours a day, results in people being left in traffic jams either side of the tunnel and exposed to the cold harsh elements. Recently, the NHA did not clear the road on the Dir side. The passengers had to be rescued by the police. Some were even unconscious. This is an appalling state of affairs. I am directing this letter to you, as tourism is one of the chief industries of the area, and soon there will be the spring festival.

 

2. The difficulty of transport raises the price on all imported goods to the area. After the floods of last summer, this is a further disaster for the residents.

 

3. The lack of electricity has become synonymous with the name of Chitral. Last year, and the year before, there was a lack of drinking water.

 

Tourism raises the profile of this province; it brings in revenue. Surely the people should benefit from this. Can there not be a special tourism programme introduced, involving the transport issue of passengers, communications, a cut in the carriage of goods, a reduction in the price of staple foods?  This, at least, would help the people and prove to them that they are not second class citizens.

 

Yours sincerely.

Maureen Lines,

 

Cc: Minister of Tourism, KPK.

Chief Secretrary, Peshawar,

Members of FHT, Peshawar

Members of SCN, Peshawar        --(CN report, 19 Mar 2011)

 

 

Comment

Thank you Miss Maureen, for showing compassion towards the plight of Chitralis. As for us we take more pains pulling each others legs instead of attending to our collective problems. Your concern about our problems proves the time old urdu adage 'Mudaee sust, Gawah chust' .-- Abdul Karim, Chitral, 21 Mar 2011