Redrawing boundaries: Protesters block KKH over division of Kohistan

Protesters term the recent bifurcation of the district ‘injudicious’.

KOHISTAN:

Hundreds of residents from Kohistan on Sunday blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in protest against the recent bifurcation of the district which they termed ‘injudicious’.

Protesters blocked the thoroughfare for traffic at 2pm and demanded authorities to cancel the notification, threatening to block KKH for an indefinite period otherwise. They had earlier set a deadline of 10am Sunday for the same.

Residents of Palas have rejected the bifurcation, terming it unfair. They have demanded a re-division of the district in accordance with their wishes.

Villagers marched on KKH chanting slogans against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government and elected representatives from Kohistan. They dispersed later at around 4pm, but said they would block the highway again if their grievances are not addressed.

The provincial government has bifurcated the district into Lower and Upper Kohistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2014.