Report GH Farooqui, Chitral
The Wetland Program Pakistan celebrated World Wetland Day at Chitral. In this connection, a quiz competition was held among students of different schools and representatives of NGO at Radio Pakistan Chitral, which was broadcast on Monday to spread the message regarding importance of wetlands.
Mohammad Ali, Project Manager of Protected Area Management Project (PAMP), was chief guest on the occasion. Participants of quiz competition were divided into three groups A,B and C. Each group was asked five questions. After completion of stipulated time, Group A comprising students of Terichmir Model High School scored first position while representatives of Northern Citizen Community Board were declared second and group B of Iqra Model School stood third. The chief guest awarded trophy and cup to the winner and runner up along with cash awards.
Hameed Ahmad Mir, Social Mobilizer of Wetland Program for Pakistan, highlighted the importance of wetland for human life and why they celebrated this day. He said they celebrated this day to commemorate the convention held at Ramsar city of Iran in 1971 to protect wetlands of the world and Pakistan is also signatory to that convention. He said some 225 wetland sites have been discovered in Pakistan out of which 19 were given the status of Ramsar. After that every year government agencies, non-government organizations and groups of citizens at all levels have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar convention in particular. The proposed theme for WWD for the year 2009 is Upstream-downstream wetlands connect us all”. He said that Kurumbara Lake is one of the most famous lake of the world situated at Boroghil valley at the altitude of 14,500 feet.
Ahmad said our organization was looking for alternative energy sources in Chitral especially at Boroghil valley where the temperature remains below freezing point. He said we are trying to create awareness among the masses regarding importance of these wetland sites to protect them and to utilize them for human benefits. He said these wetlands consisting of water resources can be a cause of a green revolution in the area if they are utilized properly for human benefits.
Shahzada Ibrahim Pirzada, Chairman of NCCB, highlighted the aims and objectives of this awareness raising campaign. Later, the chief guest while expressing his views stressed upon the masses to protect these wetlands because water is a great gift of Allah Almighty and we should not waste it. He said we should keep our environment clean for the future of our coming generation.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
FDE's decision to send back teachers to home provinces criticised
DAWN
By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: A recent decision of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to repatriate all teachers currently working in the federal government schools in the capital on deputation to their respective provinces or regions after completion of five years has sent a shock wave among the educators, particularly women.
Sources said the FDE was under pressure from ruling politicians to appoint their people and the decision to send back all teachers on deputation was aimed to create vacancies for accommodating the political appointees. So far over 20 teachers have been directed to relinquish work and report back to their respective provinces.
It may be noted that majority of the teachers on deputation are women whose husbands are working in various government departments and private organisations and are posted in the capital. Taking benefit of existing rules facilitating posting of government servants in areas where their spouses lived or worked, hundreds of women from various parts of the country have moved to the capital and some of them have already been regularised by the FDE.
The affected female teachers told Dawn that the move taken by the FDE was arbitrary, anti-women and above all politically motivated. They said on the one hand the PPP government was claiming to be striving for creating job opportunities in the country and was also reinstating sacked government employees but on the other it was taking such steps which would shut the doors of employment on a large number of teachers, especially women.
They said in order to avoid disturbance in their family lives, a large number of women teachers had come to the capital on deputation and now their children were also studying in various educational institutions here. They said due to family constraints, they had sacrificed a number of allowances and other job benefits which they were otherwise entitled to and had been working on the same scale without promotion because as long as they are on deputation they are not included in the seniority list.
“Sending us back to our provinces would mean an end to our careers, because we will not be in a position to go to our areas leaving our children back here,” they added.
They said the new director-general of the FDE, a senior joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, had no authority to take such a decision because it was against rules under which government employees were entitled to get themselves posted in areas where their spouses worked.
They said earlier the facility was available only to those employees whose spouses were also in government jobs. But in 2006, through a special notification titled “Posting of married female government servants at the place of residence/posting of their husbands who are not in government employment”, the federal government also extended the facility to those employees whose spouses worked in the private sector.
The notification dated April 21, 2006, says, “Keeping in view the socio-economic problems and hardships faced by husbands and wives in government service due to posting at different stations of duty, the Establishment Division issued instructions/guidelines vide its O.M. No 10/30/97-R-2, dated 13.5.1998 and 17.12.1999 to facilitate posting of husbands and wives at the same station and the posting of unmarried female civil servants at the place of residence of their parents/families. With a view to also facilitate those female government servants whose spouses are not in government service or working in private sector or are unemployed, it has been decided to extend the facility to this class of government servants too to enable them to serve at the residence of their spouses irrespective of whether such spouses are employed with the government, private sector or even unemployed.”
The teachers said under the existing rules, after completion of five years of deputation teachers were regularised depending on their performance. They said this gave the teachers a chance to spend the remaining period of their service with their families and also motivated them to improve their performance. As a result, majority of the teachers on deputation showed 100 per cent result. They said during the summer vacation last year, about 20 teachers on deputation were regularised by the FDE.
They said if implemented the new decision would put the professional future of a large number of women at risk. They called upon the president, the prime minister and the federal minister for education to restrain the FDE from taking the unilateral decision and save the teachers from mental trauma which the move had caused to them.
When contacted, a spokesman for the FDE, however, clarified that power to extend the deputation period after five years rested with the Establishment Division. He said even after completion of three years’ deputation, further extension was granted by the secretary education. Under the existing rules, he added, maximum period for deputation was five years. After completion of this period, the FDE sends the summary for further extension to the Establishment Division from where it goes to the prime minister for final approval. He said in some recent cases the Establishment Division had turned down the FDE requests seeking extension in the deputation period of teachers.
About absorption after the five-year deputation period, the spokesman said this policy was applied only to teachers in scales 9 and 14 depending on the availability of seats against the deputation quota and the teacher’s satisfactory performance.
By Zar Alam Khan
ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: A recent decision of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to repatriate all teachers currently working in the federal government schools in the capital on deputation to their respective provinces or regions after completion of five years has sent a shock wave among the educators, particularly women.
Sources said the FDE was under pressure from ruling politicians to appoint their people and the decision to send back all teachers on deputation was aimed to create vacancies for accommodating the political appointees. So far over 20 teachers have been directed to relinquish work and report back to their respective provinces.
It may be noted that majority of the teachers on deputation are women whose husbands are working in various government departments and private organisations and are posted in the capital. Taking benefit of existing rules facilitating posting of government servants in areas where their spouses lived or worked, hundreds of women from various parts of the country have moved to the capital and some of them have already been regularised by the FDE.
The affected female teachers told Dawn that the move taken by the FDE was arbitrary, anti-women and above all politically motivated. They said on the one hand the PPP government was claiming to be striving for creating job opportunities in the country and was also reinstating sacked government employees but on the other it was taking such steps which would shut the doors of employment on a large number of teachers, especially women.
They said in order to avoid disturbance in their family lives, a large number of women teachers had come to the capital on deputation and now their children were also studying in various educational institutions here. They said due to family constraints, they had sacrificed a number of allowances and other job benefits which they were otherwise entitled to and had been working on the same scale without promotion because as long as they are on deputation they are not included in the seniority list.
“Sending us back to our provinces would mean an end to our careers, because we will not be in a position to go to our areas leaving our children back here,” they added.
They said the new director-general of the FDE, a senior joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, had no authority to take such a decision because it was against rules under which government employees were entitled to get themselves posted in areas where their spouses worked.
They said earlier the facility was available only to those employees whose spouses were also in government jobs. But in 2006, through a special notification titled “Posting of married female government servants at the place of residence/posting of their husbands who are not in government employment”, the federal government also extended the facility to those employees whose spouses worked in the private sector.
The notification dated April 21, 2006, says, “Keeping in view the socio-economic problems and hardships faced by husbands and wives in government service due to posting at different stations of duty, the Establishment Division issued instructions/guidelines vide its O.M. No 10/30/97-R-2, dated 13.5.1998 and 17.12.1999 to facilitate posting of husbands and wives at the same station and the posting of unmarried female civil servants at the place of residence of their parents/families. With a view to also facilitate those female government servants whose spouses are not in government service or working in private sector or are unemployed, it has been decided to extend the facility to this class of government servants too to enable them to serve at the residence of their spouses irrespective of whether such spouses are employed with the government, private sector or even unemployed.”
The teachers said under the existing rules, after completion of five years of deputation teachers were regularised depending on their performance. They said this gave the teachers a chance to spend the remaining period of their service with their families and also motivated them to improve their performance. As a result, majority of the teachers on deputation showed 100 per cent result. They said during the summer vacation last year, about 20 teachers on deputation were regularised by the FDE.
They said if implemented the new decision would put the professional future of a large number of women at risk. They called upon the president, the prime minister and the federal minister for education to restrain the FDE from taking the unilateral decision and save the teachers from mental trauma which the move had caused to them.
When contacted, a spokesman for the FDE, however, clarified that power to extend the deputation period after five years rested with the Establishment Division. He said even after completion of three years’ deputation, further extension was granted by the secretary education. Under the existing rules, he added, maximum period for deputation was five years. After completion of this period, the FDE sends the summary for further extension to the Establishment Division from where it goes to the prime minister for final approval. He said in some recent cases the Establishment Division had turned down the FDE requests seeking extension in the deputation period of teachers.
About absorption after the five-year deputation period, the spokesman said this policy was applied only to teachers in scales 9 and 14 depending on the availability of seats against the deputation quota and the teacher’s satisfactory performance.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Chitral DCO fines profiteers
Report Bashir Hussain Azad, Chitral
DCO Chitral Mustasim Billah paid a surprise visit to Chitral Bazaar and inspected restaurants, poultry market, butcher shops, storehouses of various shops. He expressed dissatisfaction over the poor condition of cleanliness in restaurants, butcher shops and annoyed on the high prices of sugar, rice and chicken.
The DCO fined eight traders on the spot including owners of restaurants, butchers and shopkeepers under section 3/6 for high prices of daily commodities of life, poor cleanliness of restaurants and butcher shops.
The DCO and his team told this correspondent that there is no shortage of essential items in the local market except LPG and milk, and some traders are creating artificial shortage of various items for their vested interests which will be checked properly. To meet the shortage of milk, the DCO immediately permitted the local traders to carry milk laden truck from Peshawar via Kunar Afghanistan road which has reached Jalalabad, reliable sources told this correspondent. To overcome the deficiency of LPG, the DCO assured the people that proper steps will be taken for the provision of LPG very soon. Responding to a question about the power outage in the town area, he said that a high level meeting has been convened today.
People appreciated the sudden inspection of Chitral bazaar by the DCO and hoped that he will continue his visits of Bazaar to check the rising prices and hoarding.
DCO Chitral Mustasim Billah paid a surprise visit to Chitral Bazaar and inspected restaurants, poultry market, butcher shops, storehouses of various shops. He expressed dissatisfaction over the poor condition of cleanliness in restaurants, butcher shops and annoyed on the high prices of sugar, rice and chicken.
The DCO fined eight traders on the spot including owners of restaurants, butchers and shopkeepers under section 3/6 for high prices of daily commodities of life, poor cleanliness of restaurants and butcher shops.
The DCO and his team told this correspondent that there is no shortage of essential items in the local market except LPG and milk, and some traders are creating artificial shortage of various items for their vested interests which will be checked properly. To meet the shortage of milk, the DCO immediately permitted the local traders to carry milk laden truck from Peshawar via Kunar Afghanistan road which has reached Jalalabad, reliable sources told this correspondent. To overcome the deficiency of LPG, the DCO assured the people that proper steps will be taken for the provision of LPG very soon. Responding to a question about the power outage in the town area, he said that a high level meeting has been convened today.
People appreciated the sudden inspection of Chitral bazaar by the DCO and hoped that he will continue his visits of Bazaar to check the rising prices and hoarding.
Chitral-Shikashim Highway - Letter
Sir,
It is with reference to media reports on ‘Chitral-Shikashim Highway’ which reminds me of another report in a Peshawar-based daily in December, 2004. Responding to the said report this scribe had given brief account of merits and demerits of the historical ancient route of the people of North and North East Asia, the Boroghil Pass via the main Chitral valley as part of the ancient Silk Road and Garumchashma route leading to northern part of Afghanistan. I had requested the Highway authorities to carry out a survey of both the sites during Feb-April when all the valleys were clad in snow and obstructed by snow avalanches blocking even pedestrians. During the winter months one can easily find out the dangerous and obstructive areas and the site feasible for construction of a high way which will be serviceable round the year.
Again, the same newspaper published a news item on Dec:19, 2004 in which it was reported that the then Minister for Water and Power Mr. Liaqat Ali Jatoi had directed NESPAK to finalize feasibility report for establishing road link between Pakistan and Tajekistan at the earliest and submit to the authorities for approval. The report further gave some detail of the proposed site starting from Gilgit, crossing Shandur and Mastuj valley it was to cross Broghil Pass via Yarkhun valley. Had the survey been carried out by the company as referred to by Mr. Inayatullah Aseer been feasible, NESPAK would not have been directed for feasibility report of another site as mentioned above.
My humble request to each and every Chitrali brother with knowledge of the ancient history and geographical conditions of the regions north and south of the Hindukush ranges is that the issue of Chitral-Tajekistan Road may not be politicized. We should not advocate for a certain and certain site, rather we should provide guidance to the concerned authorities on the basis of historical proofs.
Exact and accurate information provided to the concerned authorities shall enable them to select the most suitable site for this important high way to be proved more beneficial not only for Chitral and our country but for all the stake holders as well.
We give priority to Chitral-Broghil site for the anticipated highway on the following grounds:
1- That road will cross all through Pakistani territory (except a few kilometers
of Wakhan strip), ensuring complete safety and security of commuters.
2- There is cost benefit because a 25 feet kacha road has already been constructed up to Wedinkot, Broghil.
3- The project will be completed within very short period expending approximately 50% less of the estimated cost of the project, because no solid rocks and mountains come in the way and construction of no extra bridges over the rivers or streams involve.
4- It will easily link with the Qaraqurum High way through Shandur Pass at Mastuj and Darkot Pass at Boroghel providing alternate passage in case of blockage of any one of these roads.
5- It will prove all-weather road as there is no apprehension of blockade during winters due to snow avalanches and sliding.
6- Last but not least, the historical records must be kept in view and the fact should be accepted that ‘history repeats it self’ and if we go against it, we shall be doing a big blunder and that our future generation will not forgive us. Leaving aside all other references I am quoting, I.D. Scot, ICS, Late APO, Chitral in the NOTES ON CHITRAL, published by Government of India Press, Simla, 1937, at page, 2, “The more usual route, however, is over the Boroghil Pass, across Wakhan, and so to the Yarkand valley. Until recently these routes, especially the Boroghil were extensively used by caravans of Turkistan traders on their way to India. For various reasons this trade has at present practically ceased. These have been trade routes from time immemorial and were much used by Chinese pilgrims in the early centuries AD on their way to the Buddhist shrines of India”.
In the following paragraph, he mentions the passes leading to north east of Afghanistan and refers to Durah Pass as, “ The most important pass leading out of Chitral on the north west is the Durah, an easy pass of 14,000 feet leading to Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of the Afghan province of Badakhshan, to Khanabad, and on to Balkh and Afghan Turkistan. There used to be a very considerable trade over the Durah Pass chiefly in salt, tea, sugar and wool, from which Chitral extracted profit from toll; at present, however, an average of only about 40 traders cross every week during the summer months”
The above description of both the passes is self explanatory to determine the most feasible site for the anticipated Chitral-Tajekistan High Way.
Sher Wali Khan Aseer,
Abbottabad
It is with reference to media reports on ‘Chitral-Shikashim Highway’ which reminds me of another report in a Peshawar-based daily in December, 2004. Responding to the said report this scribe had given brief account of merits and demerits of the historical ancient route of the people of North and North East Asia, the Boroghil Pass via the main Chitral valley as part of the ancient Silk Road and Garumchashma route leading to northern part of Afghanistan. I had requested the Highway authorities to carry out a survey of both the sites during Feb-April when all the valleys were clad in snow and obstructed by snow avalanches blocking even pedestrians. During the winter months one can easily find out the dangerous and obstructive areas and the site feasible for construction of a high way which will be serviceable round the year.
Again, the same newspaper published a news item on Dec:19, 2004 in which it was reported that the then Minister for Water and Power Mr. Liaqat Ali Jatoi had directed NESPAK to finalize feasibility report for establishing road link between Pakistan and Tajekistan at the earliest and submit to the authorities for approval. The report further gave some detail of the proposed site starting from Gilgit, crossing Shandur and Mastuj valley it was to cross Broghil Pass via Yarkhun valley. Had the survey been carried out by the company as referred to by Mr. Inayatullah Aseer been feasible, NESPAK would not have been directed for feasibility report of another site as mentioned above.
My humble request to each and every Chitrali brother with knowledge of the ancient history and geographical conditions of the regions north and south of the Hindukush ranges is that the issue of Chitral-Tajekistan Road may not be politicized. We should not advocate for a certain and certain site, rather we should provide guidance to the concerned authorities on the basis of historical proofs.
Exact and accurate information provided to the concerned authorities shall enable them to select the most suitable site for this important high way to be proved more beneficial not only for Chitral and our country but for all the stake holders as well.
We give priority to Chitral-Broghil site for the anticipated highway on the following grounds:
1- That road will cross all through Pakistani territory (except a few kilometers
of Wakhan strip), ensuring complete safety and security of commuters.
2- There is cost benefit because a 25 feet kacha road has already been constructed up to Wedinkot, Broghil.
3- The project will be completed within very short period expending approximately 50% less of the estimated cost of the project, because no solid rocks and mountains come in the way and construction of no extra bridges over the rivers or streams involve.
4- It will easily link with the Qaraqurum High way through Shandur Pass at Mastuj and Darkot Pass at Boroghel providing alternate passage in case of blockage of any one of these roads.
5- It will prove all-weather road as there is no apprehension of blockade during winters due to snow avalanches and sliding.
6- Last but not least, the historical records must be kept in view and the fact should be accepted that ‘history repeats it self’ and if we go against it, we shall be doing a big blunder and that our future generation will not forgive us. Leaving aside all other references I am quoting, I.D. Scot, ICS, Late APO, Chitral in the NOTES ON CHITRAL, published by Government of India Press, Simla, 1937, at page, 2, “The more usual route, however, is over the Boroghil Pass, across Wakhan, and so to the Yarkand valley. Until recently these routes, especially the Boroghil were extensively used by caravans of Turkistan traders on their way to India. For various reasons this trade has at present practically ceased. These have been trade routes from time immemorial and were much used by Chinese pilgrims in the early centuries AD on their way to the Buddhist shrines of India”.
In the following paragraph, he mentions the passes leading to north east of Afghanistan and refers to Durah Pass as, “ The most important pass leading out of Chitral on the north west is the Durah, an easy pass of 14,000 feet leading to Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of the Afghan province of Badakhshan, to Khanabad, and on to Balkh and Afghan Turkistan. There used to be a very considerable trade over the Durah Pass chiefly in salt, tea, sugar and wool, from which Chitral extracted profit from toll; at present, however, an average of only about 40 traders cross every week during the summer months”
The above description of both the passes is self explanatory to determine the most feasible site for the anticipated Chitral-Tajekistan High Way.
Sher Wali Khan Aseer,
Abbottabad
Friday, January 30, 2009
Nawa Pass route to be opened soon: NA told
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Khan on Friday told the National Assembly that Chitral-Nawa pass (Afghanistan) route would be opened in a couple of days.
He was responding to a Calling Attention Notice of Shahzada Mohiuddin, Dr Abdul Kadir Khanzada and Mohammad Nawaz Allai about closure of passage of Chitral resulting in difficulties to thousands of stranded passengers in Peshawar and Chitral causing grave concern amongst the public.
The minister said after the closure of Lowari Pass in winter season a permission is sought from the government of Afghanistan for use of Arandu-Nawa pass route. He said this year the issue was also raised with Afghanistan but due to security situation on the border the route was not safe for journey and therefore permission was not granted.
He said now the Afghan government has given the permission of using Chitral-Nawa pass route, therefore, the route would be opened for traffic within a couple of days.
Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan told the National Assembly that tunneling of Lowari Tunnel has been through but for the time being people cannot use the tunnel as heavy machinery is still moving there. However, the issue would be raised with the concerned construction firm to make it possible for journey.
He said Lowari tunnel is a project of national importance which was started by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He said the completion date of the project is September 2010.
Shahzada Mohiuddin asked the chair to take up the issue with Afghanistan Foreign Minister in his upcoming visit to Pakistan that the people of Chitral be allowed to bring essential commodities with them from Afghanistan as they are facing server shortage of essential commodities there.--APP
He was responding to a Calling Attention Notice of Shahzada Mohiuddin, Dr Abdul Kadir Khanzada and Mohammad Nawaz Allai about closure of passage of Chitral resulting in difficulties to thousands of stranded passengers in Peshawar and Chitral causing grave concern amongst the public.
The minister said after the closure of Lowari Pass in winter season a permission is sought from the government of Afghanistan for use of Arandu-Nawa pass route. He said this year the issue was also raised with Afghanistan but due to security situation on the border the route was not safe for journey and therefore permission was not granted.
He said now the Afghan government has given the permission of using Chitral-Nawa pass route, therefore, the route would be opened for traffic within a couple of days.
Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan told the National Assembly that tunneling of Lowari Tunnel has been through but for the time being people cannot use the tunnel as heavy machinery is still moving there. However, the issue would be raised with the concerned construction firm to make it possible for journey.
He said Lowari tunnel is a project of national importance which was started by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He said the completion date of the project is September 2010.
Shahzada Mohiuddin asked the chair to take up the issue with Afghanistan Foreign Minister in his upcoming visit to Pakistan that the people of Chitral be allowed to bring essential commodities with them from Afghanistan as they are facing server shortage of essential commodities there.--APP
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Revival of Nazis
This is a rejoinder to President Obama’s interview to Al Jazeera TV channel on Monday 26th January, in which he said that America is not enemy of the Muslim world. Nobody could agree with Obama’s views. America has proved on all occasions over the past 50 years that this country is an enemy of Muslims just like the Nazis had enmity against the Jews. The role of Obama is not different from the role of Adolf Hitler. The rule of Democratic Party in USA will rightly be taken by Muslims like revival of Nazism in 21st Century.
Dr. Inayatullah Faizi
Chitral.
Dr. Inayatullah Faizi
Chitral.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Call to declare emergency in Chitral
CHITRAL: District president of the PPP and former MPA from Chitral Zainul Abedin has demanded of the government to declare emergency in Chitral as the population of about 500,000 was besieged due to the closure of the Lowari Pass and cancellation of PIA flights, causing shortage of daily-use items.
He said life-saving drugs in hospitals were in shortage and urged the government to provide the medicines to all the healthcare centres immediately.
The PPP leader regretted that no remedial measures had been taken by the government despite the fact that he had already approached the president and prime minister and other ministers concerned and apprised them of the hardships of the people.
He said the immediate solution to the problems of the people of Chitral was the opening of the recently-constructed Lowari Tunnel even for a short duration on a daily basis without disturbing the pace of work.—Zahiruddin
He said life-saving drugs in hospitals were in shortage and urged the government to provide the medicines to all the healthcare centres immediately.
The PPP leader regretted that no remedial measures had been taken by the government despite the fact that he had already approached the president and prime minister and other ministers concerned and apprised them of the hardships of the people.
He said the immediate solution to the problems of the people of Chitral was the opening of the recently-constructed Lowari Tunnel even for a short duration on a daily basis without disturbing the pace of work.—Zahiruddin
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