Kalash endowment fund set up in K-P

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has officially established an endowment fund for the Kalash Valley, following approval from the Provincial Assembly and the Finance Department. The new fund, aimed at supporting the welfare of the Kalash community, has been allocated an initial capital of Rs100 million.

Rules for the endowment fund have been issued, covering a population of over 4,000 in the three Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Birir, and Rumbur in Chitral District. Oversight of the fund will be handled by the relevant Deputy Commissioner, with representatives from the Kalash community included on the supervisory committee.

The fund's primary goal is to ensure financial assistance and promote the welfare of the Kalash, who are recognized for their unique cultural heritage. It will support initiatives in education, social welfare, and economic empowerment, enabling the community to strengthen its self-reliance.

Under the new law, members of the Kalash community can submit applications for financial support, which will be reviewed in committee meetings. Approved applications will receive funding directly from the endowment. According to a recent government survey, the Kalash population in K-P stands at approximately 4,000 individuals.