Tehsil Nazim held open katchery (forum) to listen problems of Madaglasht people.
CHITRAL: Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan held an open forum (open katchery) at Madaglasht (Sheshikoh valley) the most beautiful but remote area of Tehsil Drsoh some 90 KM from here. Yakhya Bakhtiar a general councilor of Union Council Sheshi Koh said that Madaglasht received some 6 feet snow on the grounds during recent row of snowfall. As a result all roads were blocked and even recently in the month of February people of the area including women, children and aged face to travel by feet over snow covered roads for hours. But the UC have no sufficient fund for removal of snow from roads. There is no electricity in the valley on government part hence the people of the area running a mini hydro plant on self help basis with financial support of AKDN (Aga Khan Development Network) Saeedullah a Kisan councilor said.
The forefathers of Madaglasht people who almost belong to Ismaeeli community migrated in 1616 AD from central Asia and settled here. These are very peaceful and lover people but deprived from basic and civics facilities. Shah Nawaz Khan resigned from Chitral Scouts (paramilitary civil forces) as a protest when Zulfiqar Bhutto was hanged who is a active social worker of the area. Madaglasht having the population of 4500 house holds hence the whole valley comprises over 25000 populations. Main problem of the area is poor condition of communication network and dilapidated condition of its only main road.
Dwellers of the area opened files of complaints in the open forum. There is only one civil dispensary on government side which is almost facing lack of medicines. As the patients face to travel by feet for 2-3 hours by feet over snow covered road in winter season and 4 hours by vehicle to reach Drosh. A maternity family health care centre is running here by Aga Khan Health service but there is only one Lady Health visitor serving here but no doctor in the area. Sher Jehan a retired teacher said that road to Madaglasht was constructed by Forest department in 1969 for transportation of rich forest and timber from this area to down districts hence due to no maintenance it was dilapidated gradually.
Residents of the area demanded for establishment of higher secondary school both for male and female as well as up gradation of civil dispensary to Rural Health Center with full facilities as the valley remain block 5 months a year during winter season by heavy snowfall. People of the area stock edible things in summer season and then remain besieged in their houses. They also demanded opening of Utility store, establishment of girls’ middle school, black topping of road, and parapet wall on road toward river side. Yakhya Bakhtiar thanked PTCL authorities for launching V. wireless phone service in the valley which was most awaited demand of the people. Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmad Khan assured them of his fully cooperation and solving problems of the area. He said Provincial as well as federal government will also be approached for development of the area and we welcome and appreciate every one who endeavors for development of Chitral. He said some 3 km black top road have been approved and fund was allocated. Telenor service will be launch here next year. He announced for opening of franchises utility store at Madaglasht. He stressed upon the youth of the area to must register organization and I will funded them regularly. He announced for Rupees 10000 for youth society.
Haji Ayub prominent social worker and Jamat Islami activist also expressed his views and demanded for uplift of the area having rich forest but deprived from all basic facilities. He said that the area is very beautiful having attractive valleys for trekking, and resort for tourist point of view. He demanded from the government for highlighting Madaglasht valley for world tourists and establishment of tent village, and providing other materials and facilities of tourist interest. The area is very beautiful attracting tourists on domestic as well as on world level if its road was repaired and other civil facilities were provided despite having natural resources. There are rich forests, fountain of milky and clean water, lakes for tourist interest, passes for trekking and its river is famous for trout fish. Hence due to apathy of the government it was never explore by the authority nor any arranged was assured for tourist attraction.
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