Poverty alleviation -Plight of Chitral                                                 

 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the poorest Province in Pakistan with an overall incidence of Poverty at 44% as compared to 32.9% for Pakistan. Governance issues are impeding the pace of institutional efficiency in both public and private sectors. To address these issues the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken various initiatives through sectoral reforms to improve the efficacy of the service rendering institutions to improve socio-economic conditions of the Province.

One of the initiative is the introduction of Bacha Khan Poverty Alleviation Program has commenced a two years program, which aims to address rural poverty (White Paper 2010-11). The program incorporates three development components i.e. Social Mobilization, livelihood Strengthening and Social protection. The program costing Rs.1500 Million is to be implemented in 2 years in Four districts i.e. Mardan, Karak, Datagram and Dir Upper.

Chitral being remote and largest District of the Province, besides, fragile financial position, peculiar geographical and climatic conditions, nature has bestowed this District with immense wealth in the shape of hydel power, forests, and tourism potential that makes it prominent amongst other Districts. However, morbid socio-economic conditions and low literacy rate has had serious impact on the pace of development of the District.

It is very bad news that under the parameter of the Provincial Finance Commission Award, a Cluster Survey is being adopted, framed by the Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to this Cluster Survey for inter-se development funds distributing in the districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, priorities on the three parameter, Population 60%, Backwardness 20% and Lag in infrastructure 20%, placed District Chitral at the ratio of Population 1.08%, Backwardness 0.60% and Lag in Infrastructure 0.58% total 2.355 of the Province.

As in every financial year from the over all allocation of Annual Development Budget 10% & 5% for District development funds has been allocated to the Chief Minister and Finance Minister respectively as a discretionary fund but District Chitral never utilized this privilege.

As our main demand is the allocation funds for Lowari Tunnel which is still hanging due to paucity of funds as the Central level funds have been diverted to Mulatan and in the Provincial level allocation above-mentioned districts (Bacha Khan Poverty alleviation Program).

In 2005, the earth-quake wreaked havoc in Hazara division and all grants and developments cushions and lump sum had been diverted to that Division, then Militancy in Swat also swallowed a big chunk of grants, whereas, recently, in July 2010 a devastating floods in various Districts absorbed huge amount like Dir Lower, Malakand, Nowshera and Peshawar, which not only reduced the District Chitral rights but also triggered more poverty in the District. -- (Ashrafuddin, Barenis Chitral, 02 Mar 2011)

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