![shahzada iftikharuddin celebrating his victory photo facebook shahzada iftikharuddin celebrating his victory photo facebook](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/576695-ShahzadaIftikharuddinFACEBOOK-1373778873.jpg)
The Prince of Chitral, Shahzada Iftikharuddin, has a dream – to make his district the Gwadar of the north. His dream, very precise, very visual, is based not on assumptions or a fertile imagination, but on facts that he puts forth proudly.
“Chitral district consists of 20% of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s total area and its potential is backed by reserves of granite, gemstones, and metals worth an estimated Rs177 billion,” he says in an exclusive interview, his eyes animated. “And this is not all. Yes, Chitral has many problems but I am an optimist. I am also aware of the huge enormous hydro power, tourism and mineral potential of a district that boasts one of the highest literacy rates in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.”
A man with a vision
Iftikharuddin, the only MNA elected on a ticket of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) – former president Pervez Musharraf’s party – has carried this dream with him for a while.
He has painstakingly prepared documents that illustrate his region’s superior mineral wealth, geographical advantage and energy capability. According to these documents, the reservoirs of marble and granite – 45 billion metric tons – are alone worth $500 to $1,000 billion. The K-P government has planned to establish a marble city in Chitral, for which funds have been allocated in the 2013-2014 budget.
“Development of the Chitral cluster can create 3,000 direct and indirect jobs for the youth,” says Iftikharuddin confidently. “The government can earn Rs15 billion through granite reserves and Rs30 billion through marble reserves. Because of the marble city, 20 factories may be established, with each earning Rs600 million annually.”
However, according to him, the “criminal negligence” of political leaders has kept the region from its true potential. With his plans, documents and extensive study, he hopes to remedy just that.
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A place in the world
According to Iftikharuddin, Chitral’s geo-strategic importance must not be undermined.
“Chitral is, in no way, less than Gwadar. It is K-P’s largest district, and its proximity to China, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan certainly adds to its importance,” he remarks.
Pakistan is separated from Tajikistan by a 5-10km narrow strip, through Wahkhan. The documents illustrate that if Pakistan negotiates with Afghanistan to find out a passage into Tajikistan, Chitral’s geo-strategic position can be greatly enhanced from a trade point of view. Tajikistan is a potential market for Pakistani goods, while Pakistan is a potential buyer of cheap raw materials and minerals from Tajikistan.
“Furthermore, if Pakistan allows India to trade with Tajikistan through the Broghal pass, it would render the area into a transit economy. It is a long standing dream of Pakistanis to earn transit money,” he explains. “The good news is that Tajikistan has already developed its bordering areas by building roads and bridges.”
He adds that Afghanistan is also establishing its silk road with China.
“If we manage to build a road to access to Afghanistan’s silk route running through the Wahkhan strip, we can have another alternate route available for China and Afghanistan. This will further strengthen not only trade relations with Tajikistan, Afghanistan and China, but also open a new chapter in Pak-China military relations,” he says.
Furthermore, Afghanistan’s province Badakhshan, which lies in close proximity to Chitral, has enormous coal reserves. Because it is isolated due to its terrain and remoteness, a 10 km road, costing Rs2.5 billion, is already being built from Mastuj to Broghal to connect Badakhshan with Chitral.
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A plea for effective projects
“There are dozens of sites here where hydropower projects can be constructed,” says Iftikharuddin. “These projects can provide 10,000MW to 12,000MW of electricity garnered from rivers. We don’t need to construct big dams worth billions of dollars.”
According to him, a fresh feasibility study has been ordered at the Atakh Water Channel, where Rs140 million worth of resource has already been wasted.
“The government should provide funds for Chitral’s ongoing mega projects. I met several ministers and put in writing an Rs4 billion request for the Lowari Tunnel, in addition to the revised cost estimates for mega projects such as the Booni-Buzund and Booni Shandoor roads,” he says. “The delay in projects of vital importance will be paid for by the poor sections of our society.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2013.
COMMENTS (28)
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Indeed very wise thinking of our new young brother Mr. Iftikhar sab. We hope you will create a change by your sincerity and patience for the district. We appreciate your hard work and we pray for your success to create such kind of change.I totally agree with you that now we should focus the mega projects which can provide fund to the government as well. The government should focus and invest money such kind of mega projects. If the KPK cabinet is really sincere to create any development in the province then these are the best options to begin. They should start creating mega projects from Chitral just like marble factory first of all. Indirectly we are going to gain 2 thinks together by creating marble factories in Chitral , one is international market and 2nd is creating jobs for the locals, The KPK government should review the proposal seriously because there is 70% chance that the projects will be success. I must say that now this is the right time for KPK government to take decision and invest such kind for projects indeed there is better chance to gain.
You can claim that whole world is Nadia territory- stupid @Indian:
It is indeed a pleasure for me that first time that our leadership have projected the untapped and real potential of the District. He really deserve appreciation and moral support to materialize the ideas.
The promotional story run by the prince means nothing but bundle of lies. The inexperienced guy has by mistake exposed none other his own father Prince Muhiuddin, by pointing out that there past leaders played with the destiny of Chitralis for their own vested interests. He just fell short to mention the name of his father as it was Prince Muhiuddin alias Ghot Zheri who ruled Chitral for more than two decades. The inexperienced lucky prince manged to win the single National Assembly seat from Chitral due to General Pervez Musharraf (retired) otherwise he would have been doing job somewhere with an NGO like prince Maqsoodul Mulk. Let us be honest that it is the last chance of any prince in the political landscape of Chitral as with Prince Iftikharuddin, the prince politics in Chitral will be over insha-Allah. The people of Chitral are already angry after the young, inexperienced, chicken-hearted prince voted Nawaz Sharif by winning the elections misuing the name of Mohsin-e-Chitral General Pervez Musharraf. The minerals he is talking about is nothing but to befool poor Chitralis. I would like tell the hardliner prince not to forget that your father grown old by repeating the same rhetoric. you are the son of Mohiuddin and expecting anything from you is like building castles in the air. I appeal the people of Chitral to get rid of these so-called princes and princess if you want to see a prosperous Chitral.
@I'm Kashmiri and I'd like to stay in Pakistan, thank you. You do not own any land or it doesn't belong to anyone. Us, Kashmiris, have stated what we want to be part of Pakistan many times, now please can you let us live in peace! Majority of people from Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir cannot tolerate anyone who is not like them (due to extreme cultural differences, and primarily because they are Muslims), and this will cause more problems in the future. Whilst I don't agree with the intolerance, I think it's best to stay with Pakistan to stop problems from arising. Chitralis consider themselves Pakistanis, and many Kashmiris do as well (I live in London and whilst some of my family live in Jammu Kashmir, the ones who live here consider themselves Pakistanis). In Sh Allah, Allah blesses Pakistan with prosperity, growth, harmony, and be one of the leading Islamic Democracies in the world. I hope this man the very best in his noble and clean aims!
@Indian: first go through a map and find out exact location of chitral.
@Indian: You have 500,000 soldiers in Kashmir that are keeping "your" citizens happy in Valley. The people of Gilgit Baltistan took up arms against the Dogra army in 1948 and sent them running. You will need another million troops before you can even dream of Chitral. Central Asia is a long way from India.
@Indian: You people were, are and will always be living in a fool's paradise.
@Indian: India can lay claim on Chitral after all of India becomes part of Pakistan. And looking at the growth of the Muslim population in India, that is not too far :)
The Prince of Chitral would do well to figure out that Gwadar Port is hardly a model on which to base any kind of economic success. Gwadar Port which was touted as the next Dubai even today remains sporadically used and that to only for Government imports of fertiliser and wheat which by virtue of being tax payer subsidised need not be particularly scrupulous about being sensitive to freight economics despite the passage of some six and a half years since its inauguration. Perhaps the only thing going for Gwadar Port is that it is a successful ploy by the Military to gouge the civilian taxpayer in order to provide a bolt hole for the Navy that was as far away from India as Pakistan’s coastline would permit.
Its job creation that is vital right now...besides education, a strong workforce is what drives the economy. Its natural resources that makes a country viable. Hopefully Iftihar will be heard. Keep going cous...hearing you from Toronto!!!!
There is no doubt that Chitral is blessed with natural resources, Its close proximity with China as well as Central Asian Republics, makes the region a linkage point and corridor for economic activities. Moreover there is a huge potential of hydro electric power generation, as the main Kabul river originates from Chitral and flow through It valleys. However I am just bewildered on they way natural resources of Chitral have been priced and valued without any kind of Research studies and feasibility Reports by the competent and reputable Institutions. It is nothing more than a fairy tale story. I would like to suggest the Good Prince of Chitral, first let the foreign and local experts specially experts on Mining, Hydrology, Chemistry and Geology, conceptualize their frameworks and findings, than start valuation and pricing of the mentioned natural resources of Chitral.
So proud of Chitralis. One day they will build this city like Gawadar. Go ahead men, we stand by you guys.
@Pro M: Why Indian will get. Chitrals are so proud and brave and will build another Gawadar in Pakistan. Proud of Chitralis people. Welldone Prince Sb. Carry on your struggle, we are with you to make it more productive city.
@indian. Come n get it
@Indian: When indian will give Muslim dominated Gurdaspur
This young man has the vision,courage and energy to demonstrate how local resources are best utalized for the benefit of Hindukush mountain people. I am certan Gilgitbaltistan people will learn from Chitral- how best natural resources are harnessed in the best interest of the people which is most needed.
A Prince with a vision. A rarity in this part of the world. Wish him and the Chitrali bros all the success.
Govt should pay attention and divert some resources for development of this region.
Now this is some thing worth to gain the trust and support of the whole district Chitral. History remembers those who left behind some beautiful works or thoughts. Everybody knows about the strategic importance, mineral resources and the capacity of generating hydro power energy in the district. The question that rises in my mind here is, " Would these goals be achieved?" Well we all have to put our efforts in the same direction to support the development in Chitral, by neglecting all the political differences and all that.
Regards!!
Good ambitions...but I wonder whether the Taliban will spare him given that he belongs to Musharraf's party.