Earthquake victims: DC, nazim convince residents of Mastuj to call off protest

Meeting set 10 days later to hear allegations against assistant commissioner

CHITRAL: Residents of Mastuj ended their protest, in which they demanded aid for earthquake victims, after negotiations with Chitral DC Osama Warraich and district nazim Maghfirat Shah late Tuesday night.

During the three-hour-long meeting, Warraich said earthquake funds have been exhausted and the provincial government was not providing more. He was quoted by Mastuj tehsil nazim Maulana Yousaf who was addressing the media on Wednesday.

Yousaf added the DC said it was therefore impossible to provide aid to more people in Chitral.



He said a meeting to discuss the allegations levelled against the Mastuj assistant commissioner, will be held after 10 days when arguments of both the sides will be heard and a decision will be made accordingly. The AC has been accused of misbehaving with locals.

Yousaf added Shah made assurances that they would come up with a solution for Bambagh canal and Kosht bridge. The protesters agreed on the terms and ended the demonstrations. The district nazim then left to visit Bambagh canal and Kosht bridge.

Thousands of residents of Upper Chitral protested for eight hours straight on Tuesday and blocked all roads. Cases were also registered against eight protesters.

The demonstration was held to highlight the plight of earthquake victims who, according to protesters, had not been provided with enough aid; more attention was given to the victims of Lower Chitral, they complained. They also said no attention was being given to canals, bridges and infrastructure of the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th,  2016.