The Political Saga – By: Salman Mujtaba
In Pakistan, general elections are scheduled to be held on 8th of February 2024 to elect the members of the 16th National Assembly. Everywhere there is the talk of elections in the country and Chitral is also having the warmth of the slogans. The political leaders are busy in their campaigns and trying to get their followers in hands. Every Tom as well as Jack is trying to be invovled in the mission and it is a good sign that people are taking so much interest to see a change in the system. Although, they seem to be doing the right thing in way but their approaches also seem to be divided as there are many political parties involved. PTI, JUI, PMLN, PPP,JI and some independent candidates have come to the arena, with their respective slogans. All are striving for the good cause and that is a fine thing. But the main question is what could be the best result of it for Chitral and the Chitrali people?
The political history of Chitral has been in the hands of the religiously united political parties and the Royal family in the past. Both of them have tried their bests and their contributions can be seen for example, in the infrastructure of the district. Lawari tunnel is the best example which has literally changed the economy of the district and communication in the district and that is a game changer for the district. Otherwise there are stories of Lawari Pass, where people used to go through hell and many people have lost their precious lives on the way crossing the Lawari pass under the harsh weather conditions. But as the saying goes ‘out of sight out of mind’ those stories have been forgotten. The majority of the valleys of the ditrict have been linked through jeepable and truckable roads in the difficult topographic settings and there are scores of bridges linking the valleys. The credit goes to the late MNA Prince Muhia uddin as well as the other representatives. Other works like the access to the internet has really brought the district to the level of the capital of the country. These are the real works which have truly been done and done well.
Unfortunately the last five years Chitral lost the opportunity by sitting and choosing the opposition benches in the National and Provincial assemblies. And what could have been got from the government was not got. The last representatives were from the religious coalition of JUI and JI and their performance has not been so impressive due to being a part of the opposition benches.
Though there are numerous problems to be solved in the district but three obvious problems are on the top of the list. First the conditions of the raods; second is the vulnerability of the district to the dangers of climate change; third the number of suicides.
The roads need to be upgraded and that will boost the tourism industry giving the district a chance to be truly productive for itself and the country.Chitral offers scenic beauty to the tourists and there is good potential in the adventure tourism and cultural tourism. The development work on the Kalash Valley raod is a much needed project and it must be completed as soon as possible.The ongoing work on Mustuj-Chitral road must continue and other areas should also be given funds for the development of raods.
The second problem is the threat of climate change and the last summer is the nearest example to be sighted. The rains and the after shocks hampered the district and there was a loss of millions of property and lives. Chitral is considered to be in the red-zone of climate change as the valley is bordered by Glaciers and the weak topography makes it more vulnerable. The rains and floods pose an existeltialist threat to Chitral. So far much damage has been seen in the district but the future can be different if right actions are taken on right time.
The third problem is more gruesome in its nature as a report published in The Dawn shows that a total number of 176 people ended their lives between 2013 and 2019 in Chitral. Most of them are the young girls, boys and women. What so ever the causes are but the situation is horrible and timely actions can save many precious lives.
For the representatives of the district these problems should be on the top of the pledges for the good sake of the district. The need of being the part of the next government should be there too. Otherwise just sitting in the opposition benches will not be in anyone’s benefit. The people of Chitral must also understand the situation as now the ball is in “the D”. Who will they cast their votes for, is going to be their political champion for the next five years therefore the need of the hour is to send their best representatives to the provincial and national assembelies.It is in the control of the Chitrali people now but after the elections there will be nothing in the control of the people. It is the time to be wise. As a Chitrali poet has once penned,
“Xan ta kara no oshoya nasto royan lu, Kishipi Taighoon D ki hoi no Dasir Kolu.
“Haven’t you heard of the former people’s talk, the magpy cannot catch a partrigde even if it were a Taighoon (Taita Falcon)”.