CHITRAL: Establishment of polytechnic institute in the district remains a dream for another year as the building is unlikely to be completed by June due to lack of funds, sources in the works and services department told this correspondent.
They said that the scheme was short of Rs6 million for which the finance department had been approached which was yet to be entertained. The estimated cost of the building was Rs78.530 million and work on it had started three years ago. Its stipulated time of completion was June 2008 but it was delayed by one year due to the slow pace of work.
The people of Chitral had attached importance to the establishment of the polytechnic institute as there was no institution for technical education in the district.
A resident said that Chitral was the only district in the province having no polytechnic institute. After passing matriculation examination, the students had to go to other neighbouring districts to seek admission in classes of associate engineering but very few seats were made available to them.
He said that classes were to be commenced in the polytechnic institute right from the current year but it could not be possible due to negligence of the works and services department.
Sources in the finance department said that due to slow progress in the construction work, some of its funds were diverted to another district which caused shortage of funds.
The residents have demanded of the government to release funds to ensure completion of the work before June so that classes could be started during the current academic year.--Zahiruddin
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Bodies of nine Chitral Scouts personnel killed in dir arrive in chitarl
Report Bashir Hussain Azad
CHITRAL. The whole of Chitral was saddended when the bodies of nine Chitral Scouts personnel killed by militants in Lower Dir arrived here in Army helicopters on Monday.
Those who embraced martyrdom and whose bodies arrived here were: Naib Subaidar Nasirullah from Barinis, Sepoy Amanullah, Soweer, Drosh; Sher Nawaz, Rayeen, Torkow; Bahadur Shah, Warkup, Turkow; Ajayeeb Khan, Moomi, Lotkow; Bashir Ahmed, Reshun; Sher Azam, Sinlasht, Bashiruddin, Verkhop, Torkhow, and Zakir Khan.
The bodies were first taken to the Headquarters of Chitral Scouts in the city and later sent to their native villages in ambulances, and laid to rest with full military honour.
Meanwhile, two personnel were injured and hospitalized in Dir area. they were Sirajuddin from Torkhown and Rehmat Khan of Barenis.
CHITRAL. The whole of Chitral was saddended when the bodies of nine Chitral Scouts personnel killed by militants in Lower Dir arrived here in Army helicopters on Monday.
Those who embraced martyrdom and whose bodies arrived here were: Naib Subaidar Nasirullah from Barinis, Sepoy Amanullah, Soweer, Drosh; Sher Nawaz, Rayeen, Torkow; Bahadur Shah, Warkup, Turkow; Ajayeeb Khan, Moomi, Lotkow; Bashir Ahmed, Reshun; Sher Azam, Sinlasht, Bashiruddin, Verkhop, Torkhow, and Zakir Khan.
The bodies were first taken to the Headquarters of Chitral Scouts in the city and later sent to their native villages in ambulances, and laid to rest with full military honour.
Meanwhile, two personnel were injured and hospitalized in Dir area. they were Sirajuddin from Torkhown and Rehmat Khan of Barenis.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Another good news for Chitral - Letter
The election MNA Shahzada Muhiuddin as chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on Kashmir affairs and Northern Area is another good news for the people of Chitral. This whole year has been favourable for Chitral, because we have already a provincial minister after 39 years.
It is a fact that Chitral and Northern Areas have the historical and traditional links since time immorial. We have common languages, traditions and the people in both sides face same kind of problems, our honorable MNA has a great vision and insight about the problems of both the areas. The election of Mohiuddin as a chairman of the important committee shows the appropriate decision in a suitable time. We the people of Chitral hope that our MNA will not lose this opportunity to serve the people of our area by improving the communication links, road network and people-to-people contacts. These areas have great potentials in the field of tourism and our MNA has the experience in the field of tourism as well, and it is hoped that he will struggle to serve his area to take the locality out of the deep abyss of backwardness. For the first time our district ahs got two high-profile posts in the government and we hope their efforts will bear fruits very soon. These leaders now should come out of the politics of confrontation and persue the greater politics of reconciliation for the development and betterment of our area as well as our beloved country.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
It is a fact that Chitral and Northern Areas have the historical and traditional links since time immorial. We have common languages, traditions and the people in both sides face same kind of problems, our honorable MNA has a great vision and insight about the problems of both the areas. The election of Mohiuddin as a chairman of the important committee shows the appropriate decision in a suitable time. We the people of Chitral hope that our MNA will not lose this opportunity to serve the people of our area by improving the communication links, road network and people-to-people contacts. These areas have great potentials in the field of tourism and our MNA has the experience in the field of tourism as well, and it is hoped that he will struggle to serve his area to take the locality out of the deep abyss of backwardness. For the first time our district ahs got two high-profile posts in the government and we hope their efforts will bear fruits very soon. These leaders now should come out of the politics of confrontation and persue the greater politics of reconciliation for the development and betterment of our area as well as our beloved country.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Pay raise: Making police Mughal-e-Azam
I welcome 100% increase in the pay of Police Jawans and officers in NWFP and other Provinces and at the same time, I raise a question on the police stations in NWFP and other provinces. Problems of the masses do not relate to the police pay and allowances, our problems relate to police culture in the police station. An SHO getting 16000/= rupees pay per month was showing the attitude of Hitler and Pharoh in police stations. Now an SHO getting 32000/= rupees pay per month will become “ Moghal-e-Azam” An ordinary citizen will never dare lodge an FIR in the police station or register a complaint in the presence of the “ Moghal-e-Azam” . More over, former SHO used to demand minimum Rs 15000/= for listening to a complaint. Now the better privileged SHO will demand double of that amount to listen to the complaint of an ordinary person.
I suggest that curriculum of the police training schools may also be changed and methods of instruction in police academies may also be revised so that there is some sort of difference between a police and a “Dracola”. Cent percent increase in pay should not be instrumental to increase the rate of bribes up to 100% in future.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
_________________________________________________________________
I suggest that curriculum of the police training schools may also be changed and methods of instruction in police academies may also be revised so that there is some sort of difference between a police and a “Dracola”. Cent percent increase in pay should not be instrumental to increase the rate of bribes up to 100% in future.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
_________________________________________________________________
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mohiuddin made chairman NA Kashmir committee
ISLAMABAD: MNA from Chitral Shahzada Mohiuddin was on Thursday appointed chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. He will have the status equal to a federal minisiter.
The government decision is subsequent to the MNA's support to the ruling Pakistan People's Party which he announced before the presidential election. Earlier, the distribution of the Benazir Income Support Programme cards in Chitral was also entrusted to him.
The government decision is subsequent to the MNA's support to the ruling Pakistan People's Party which he announced before the presidential election. Earlier, the distribution of the Benazir Income Support Programme cards in Chitral was also entrusted to him.
PPP veterans demand dissolution of district cabinet
Report GH Farooqui
CHITRAL: A convention of Pakistan People's Party senior workers (pioneers) was held at Jilani house presided over by Gul Nawaz Khaki.
Hundreds of party workers especially senior members attended the convention. The participants through a unanimous resolution demanded dissolution of the district cabinet of the PPP and selection of an interim cabinet. The participants also extended a previous resolution in which they had expressed no-trust in the district cabinet. The senior workers strongly criticized the office-bearers of the present cabinet and alleged that they had committed 'treachery' which resulted in the defeat of PPP candidate in the 2008 elections. Senior workers of PPP who attended the convention from very far flung areas suggested to save the party from division in different groups and to unite all workers and members to strengthen it. They said the cabinet members under a conspiracy had recommended the name of a non-popular person for the ticket of National Assembly seat who was defeated badly. They stressed upon the workers to detail a delegation and to meet provincial minister Saleem Khan for uniting the party workers.
The speakers also condemned some of the party workers who cast their votes in favor of an opposition candidate. Extending the previous resolution of 19th April, they felicitated provincial President Syed Zahir Ali Shah and expressed full confidence in his leadership. They had criticized Najmuddin Khan for selecting his near and dears ones as party leader; as a result the party was divided in groups and faced great loss. They also announced that anyone nominate by Najmuddin Khan would be rejected in future. Those who spoke on the occasion were Shahzada Nisar Jilani, Subhanud Din, M. Hassan, Haji Muhammad, Haji Abdul Rehman, Engineer Taimour Shah, H. Haider, Burhan Shah Advocate, Babu Muhammad, Zahir Shah, Haji Karam Elahi and Gul Nawaz Khaki.
A large number of senior workers of PPP attended the convention. They announced that next meeting would be held on 5th May to decide the future plan.
CHITRAL: A convention of Pakistan People's Party senior workers (pioneers) was held at Jilani house presided over by Gul Nawaz Khaki.
Hundreds of party workers especially senior members attended the convention. The participants through a unanimous resolution demanded dissolution of the district cabinet of the PPP and selection of an interim cabinet. The participants also extended a previous resolution in which they had expressed no-trust in the district cabinet. The senior workers strongly criticized the office-bearers of the present cabinet and alleged that they had committed 'treachery' which resulted in the defeat of PPP candidate in the 2008 elections. Senior workers of PPP who attended the convention from very far flung areas suggested to save the party from division in different groups and to unite all workers and members to strengthen it. They said the cabinet members under a conspiracy had recommended the name of a non-popular person for the ticket of National Assembly seat who was defeated badly. They stressed upon the workers to detail a delegation and to meet provincial minister Saleem Khan for uniting the party workers.
The speakers also condemned some of the party workers who cast their votes in favor of an opposition candidate. Extending the previous resolution of 19th April, they felicitated provincial President Syed Zahir Ali Shah and expressed full confidence in his leadership. They had criticized Najmuddin Khan for selecting his near and dears ones as party leader; as a result the party was divided in groups and faced great loss. They also announced that anyone nominate by Najmuddin Khan would be rejected in future. Those who spoke on the occasion were Shahzada Nisar Jilani, Subhanud Din, M. Hassan, Haji Muhammad, Haji Abdul Rehman, Engineer Taimour Shah, H. Haider, Burhan Shah Advocate, Babu Muhammad, Zahir Shah, Haji Karam Elahi and Gul Nawaz Khaki.
A large number of senior workers of PPP attended the convention. They announced that next meeting would be held on 5th May to decide the future plan.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Agriculture sector needs to be revisited in Chitral
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: The agriculture sector needs designing a comprehensive, cost-effective and responsive system, incorporating soil conservation techniques and extending the area under-cultivation to make the sector sustainable and lucrative.
Agricultural expert Nauroze Wali told this scribe here on Wednesday that although the agriculture was occupation of major portion of the population but the income accrued from it was very low to support families without supplementing other occupations.
He said that only three per cent of the total area of the district was cultivable while the rest of it contained mountains, forests, glaciers, snow and rocks. He said that with the rapid increase in population, the area under-cultivation went on shrinking as the lands were used for construction purposes.
“It is a pity that the sector engages more than sixty per cent of the manpower but it fulfils less than fifty per cent of their needs keeping the farmers needy and indigent for ever,” he said. Although, mechanised farming had adopted in all parts of the district for the last two decades but the methods of farming and approach for crop choice was still obsolete, he said.
He said that the land was not suitable for wheat crop but it was grown on more than 99 per cent area under-cultivation without caring its output. He said that the district could be divided into many zones due to its enormous size and each zone was suitable for certain crops. When persuaded by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), the farmers of Garam Chashma valley switched over to potato crop which fetched them lucrative income.
Mr Wali appreciated the efforts of the AKRSP for promoting fruit and vegetable in the area and imparting training to the women for the first time to generate income. The agriculture section raised nurseries of fruit trees and distributed the saplings of the improved qualities of apricot, apple and pear among the farmers, he said. He said that some valleys were known for the superb quality of local species of apple and pear and had great potential to change the very destiny of the farmers.
Regarding the livestock and poultry, he termed the situation of farmers more pitiable and said that the sector was hit by fodder shortage and vulnerability to diseases.
Meanwhile, a number of farmers said that apart from the agriculture department of the province, some other government-run organisations were also launched here for the promotion of agriculture, but they failed miserably. They described the names of on farm water management programme, project for horticulture promotion and the agriculture section of Chitral Area Development Project.
They said that the irrigation department miserably failed to complete more than ten projects of irrigation channels to bring more land under cultivation. They said that thousands of hectares of arid land could be brought under cultivation to increase the agricultural produce.
They said that agriculture could be transformed into a full-time profession if the potential was fully exploited on scientific basis with earnestness of the government. They said that the Lowari tunnel was nearly completion providing all-weather road to the district and it would increase the profitability of Chitral’s horticulture sector.--Dawn
Appointment of female EDO chitral hailed
CHITRAL: Lady Councillor Zulaikha Rahim has appreciated the appointment of Gulsambar Begum as executive district officer education in Chitral.
In a press statement issued here on Wednesday, she expressed the hope that the officer was well-conversant with the problems of education of the district and she would prove her mettle by raising the standard of education. She said that sector of female education needed special attention and the newly appointed EDO would use her best abilities in this regard.--Zahiruddin
Posted by MY CHITRAL at 11:56 AM 0 comments
Earth day observed in Chitral
CHITRAL: To create public awareness about importance of earth and conservation of natural resources, the Program for Mountain Area Conservation (PMAC), Ministry of Environment, held an event at Garam Chashma in collaboration with teh Conservation Management Committee (CMC) and village conservation committees (VCC). In this connection, a walk comprising students of different schools was also held. the participants carrying banners inscribed with messages to protect the earth walked through different bazaars and ended at GHS Garam Chashma. A function was also held in Government Higher Secondary School Garam Chashma where Amir Wali Khan, President CMC, was chief guest while the ceremony was presided over by Khuda Panah, Principal of this school. Atta Elahi, education officer of PMAC, briefed the participants. He said we should protect the earth and save it from pollution as it was like our mother.--GH Farooqui
Khowar program - Letter 2
On 21st April, the people of Chitral throughout the country and abroad with great joy and excitement watched Khyber news telecast in Khowar. Before 5pm people switched their digital devices to Khyber News, because in Chitral and Gilgit the channel is no longer available on Asia Sat-3, which is very popular among viewers.The first maiden attempt was well thought and well tailored attempt. I have a piece of suggestion for Khyber News. I propose that the 60-minute slat should be divided into four segments of equal timings i.e. 15 minutes each for news with current affairs corner, personality of the week and topic for the week.It would be convenient of the channel is made available on Asia Sat-3 once again.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Khowar program - Letter 1
Hats off to the Khyber News initiative on Hindko and Khowar news in its regular telecast. After first Hindko news last week, Chitrali programme of news and views was telecast on Tuesday, 21st April 2009, at 5pm. Television is a powerful media and more than one million viewers of Khowar in Chitral, Gilgit and other parts of the Country and abroad now have access to electronic media through the Khyber news. I do congratulate the management of Khyber news for this initiative. I do hope the channel will include more informative segments like “ hot topic of the day” , or “ interesting conversation of the day” etc. I suggest only 20 minute for each segment. It would be convenient if the channel is linked up to Asia sat-3.
Dr. Inayat Ullah Faizi
Chitral.
50 small powerhouses for Chitral promised
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: District Nazim Maghfirat Shah has said that the federal minister for science and technology had assured the district government of construction of over 50 small hydro-power stations in Chitral.
Led by the district nazim, a team of the district government called on Minister Azam Swati in Islamabad on Wednesday to apprise him of the hydro-power potentials in the district and seek help of the ministry in this regard.
Talking to Dawn by telephone, the district nazim said that the minister expressed deep interest in the power potential of the district and accepted the invitation of the team to visit Chitral with a technical team to observe the sites.
He said that the delegation of the district government consisted of district Naib Nazim Sultan Shah, member district council Abdul Qayum Baig and others. He said that the district government had approached all relevant quarters to exploit the hydro-power potentials of the district from the very beginning.
He said that the fifty sites had a generation capacity of more than 500 kilowatts each and would provide cheaper electricity to the locals which would decrease burden on the forests. He said that the forests were depleting fast as the people depend on it to secure firewood in the absence of alternate sources.--Dawn
CHITRAL: The agriculture sector needs designing a comprehensive, cost-effective and responsive system, incorporating soil conservation techniques and extending the area under-cultivation to make the sector sustainable and lucrative.
Agricultural expert Nauroze Wali told this scribe here on Wednesday that although the agriculture was occupation of major portion of the population but the income accrued from it was very low to support families without supplementing other occupations.
He said that only three per cent of the total area of the district was cultivable while the rest of it contained mountains, forests, glaciers, snow and rocks. He said that with the rapid increase in population, the area under-cultivation went on shrinking as the lands were used for construction purposes.
“It is a pity that the sector engages more than sixty per cent of the manpower but it fulfils less than fifty per cent of their needs keeping the farmers needy and indigent for ever,” he said. Although, mechanised farming had adopted in all parts of the district for the last two decades but the methods of farming and approach for crop choice was still obsolete, he said.
He said that the land was not suitable for wheat crop but it was grown on more than 99 per cent area under-cultivation without caring its output. He said that the district could be divided into many zones due to its enormous size and each zone was suitable for certain crops. When persuaded by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), the farmers of Garam Chashma valley switched over to potato crop which fetched them lucrative income.
Mr Wali appreciated the efforts of the AKRSP for promoting fruit and vegetable in the area and imparting training to the women for the first time to generate income. The agriculture section raised nurseries of fruit trees and distributed the saplings of the improved qualities of apricot, apple and pear among the farmers, he said. He said that some valleys were known for the superb quality of local species of apple and pear and had great potential to change the very destiny of the farmers.
Regarding the livestock and poultry, he termed the situation of farmers more pitiable and said that the sector was hit by fodder shortage and vulnerability to diseases.
Meanwhile, a number of farmers said that apart from the agriculture department of the province, some other government-run organisations were also launched here for the promotion of agriculture, but they failed miserably. They described the names of on farm water management programme, project for horticulture promotion and the agriculture section of Chitral Area Development Project.
They said that the irrigation department miserably failed to complete more than ten projects of irrigation channels to bring more land under cultivation. They said that thousands of hectares of arid land could be brought under cultivation to increase the agricultural produce.
They said that agriculture could be transformed into a full-time profession if the potential was fully exploited on scientific basis with earnestness of the government. They said that the Lowari tunnel was nearly completion providing all-weather road to the district and it would increase the profitability of Chitral’s horticulture sector.--Dawn
Appointment of female EDO chitral hailed
CHITRAL: Lady Councillor Zulaikha Rahim has appreciated the appointment of Gulsambar Begum as executive district officer education in Chitral.
In a press statement issued here on Wednesday, she expressed the hope that the officer was well-conversant with the problems of education of the district and she would prove her mettle by raising the standard of education. She said that sector of female education needed special attention and the newly appointed EDO would use her best abilities in this regard.--Zahiruddin
Posted by MY CHITRAL at 11:56 AM 0 comments
Earth day observed in Chitral
CHITRAL: To create public awareness about importance of earth and conservation of natural resources, the Program for Mountain Area Conservation (PMAC), Ministry of Environment, held an event at Garam Chashma in collaboration with teh Conservation Management Committee (CMC) and village conservation committees (VCC). In this connection, a walk comprising students of different schools was also held. the participants carrying banners inscribed with messages to protect the earth walked through different bazaars and ended at GHS Garam Chashma. A function was also held in Government Higher Secondary School Garam Chashma where Amir Wali Khan, President CMC, was chief guest while the ceremony was presided over by Khuda Panah, Principal of this school. Atta Elahi, education officer of PMAC, briefed the participants. He said we should protect the earth and save it from pollution as it was like our mother.--GH Farooqui
Khowar program - Letter 2
On 21st April, the people of Chitral throughout the country and abroad with great joy and excitement watched Khyber news telecast in Khowar. Before 5pm people switched their digital devices to Khyber News, because in Chitral and Gilgit the channel is no longer available on Asia Sat-3, which is very popular among viewers.The first maiden attempt was well thought and well tailored attempt. I have a piece of suggestion for Khyber News. I propose that the 60-minute slat should be divided into four segments of equal timings i.e. 15 minutes each for news with current affairs corner, personality of the week and topic for the week.It would be convenient of the channel is made available on Asia Sat-3 once again.
Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.
Khowar program - Letter 1
Hats off to the Khyber News initiative on Hindko and Khowar news in its regular telecast. After first Hindko news last week, Chitrali programme of news and views was telecast on Tuesday, 21st April 2009, at 5pm. Television is a powerful media and more than one million viewers of Khowar in Chitral, Gilgit and other parts of the Country and abroad now have access to electronic media through the Khyber news. I do congratulate the management of Khyber news for this initiative. I do hope the channel will include more informative segments like “ hot topic of the day” , or “ interesting conversation of the day” etc. I suggest only 20 minute for each segment. It would be convenient if the channel is linked up to Asia sat-3.
Dr. Inayat Ullah Faizi
Chitral.
50 small powerhouses for Chitral promised
By Our Correspondent
CHITRAL: District Nazim Maghfirat Shah has said that the federal minister for science and technology had assured the district government of construction of over 50 small hydro-power stations in Chitral.
Led by the district nazim, a team of the district government called on Minister Azam Swati in Islamabad on Wednesday to apprise him of the hydro-power potentials in the district and seek help of the ministry in this regard.
Talking to Dawn by telephone, the district nazim said that the minister expressed deep interest in the power potential of the district and accepted the invitation of the team to visit Chitral with a technical team to observe the sites.
He said that the delegation of the district government consisted of district Naib Nazim Sultan Shah, member district council Abdul Qayum Baig and others. He said that the district government had approached all relevant quarters to exploit the hydro-power potentials of the district from the very beginning.
He said that the fifty sites had a generation capacity of more than 500 kilowatts each and would provide cheaper electricity to the locals which would decrease burden on the forests. He said that the forests were depleting fast as the people depend on it to secure firewood in the absence of alternate sources.--Dawn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
