CHITRAL(National Times): Every year a large number of tourists from all over Pakistan and other countries
come to this paradise valley for the festivals and rituals of the people of Kailash tribe who are
famous all over the world for their unique culture and unique customs. But once a tourist
comes here, he is reluctant to come again, mostly because of the bad roads condition here.
A joint peaceful protest rally of Muslim and Kailash communities was held in Brun village for
the construction of dilapidated roads in Kailash Valley, which was presided over by Subedar
Major (retd) Muhammad Yusuf.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that we are celebrating the 74th Independence
Day of Pakistan but no development work has been done in this valley for the last 74 years
and no government has paid attention to the roads. They said that the federal government
repeatedly claims that they promotes tourism but how can tourism develop by walking on
these unpaved and dangerous roads. The speakers also slammed the National Highway
Authority and the district administration for not paying compensation to the landowners on
the road. they said that government representatives claim that more than Rs 4 billion has
been sanctioned for the construction of this road but this year only Rs 50 million has been
earmarked in the budget which is equivalent to cumin in the mouth of a camel.They said
that our elected member National Assembly Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali tells the people to
vote because it is the trust of the nation but in the National Assembly itself he did not vote for
the Prime Minister or the opposition candidate. If he has not yet approved the funds for this
road, he should resign.
The speakers also slammed Maulvi Hidayat-ur-Rehman, an elected member of the
provincial Assembly, for not performing well so far.
The speakers said that Kailash culture is the only unique culture in the world found only in
Chitral which is visited by tourists from all over the world but the condition of roads here is so
bad that a distance of 20 km can be covered in 12 hours. So how will tourists travel on these
roads? They said that Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Wazirzada Kailash belonged to
the same Union Council but he too had failed to raise funds for the road. The speakers said
that when Kailash and Muslim women are taken to the hospital on this road during maternity,
there is often a risk of death before reaching the hospital.
The speakers urged the federal government to build the road in this beautiful valley as soon
as possible so that the people as well as the tourists could be saved from accidents. A
tourist from Gujarat after traveling on this delipidated road also said that this valley is like
paradise but to get here one has to cross the road to hell.
The Kailash women in particular also expressed their displeasure during the protest and
demanded that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Federal Minister for Communications and
the provincial government should to build the road as soon as possible.
Wajihuddin, Niaz Ahmad, Abdul Majeed Qureshi, Khalil-ur-Rehman Sheikhananda, Habib-
ur-Rehman, Rehmat-ul-Ilahi, Abdul Khaliq Kailash, Millat Gul Bibi Kailash Councilor,
Muhammad Rehman, Gulshan-e-Bihar Kailash, Mina Bibi Kailash, Nazir Ahmad, Abdul
Jabbar, Mohkamuddin, Ikramullah, Dr. Sajid, a tourist from Gujrat district and Subedar Major
(retd) Muhammad Yusuf and others expressed their views.

Meanwhile, the Muslim and Kailash children of the valley also staged a symbolic procession
with the same slogan on their lips that we need road. The organizers of the rally warned the
government that if work on the road could not starts within a month they will came on roads
and will not hesitate to go to Islamabad and hold a sit-in in front of the parliament because
this is our basic right and no area can develop without good roads.
The meeting was attended by a large number of people from both Muslim and Kailash tribes
and ended with the prayers of Haji Muhammad Yusuf.