www.chitraltimes.com

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS
"MASTUJ"

I am sad, yet I do not cry. I am hungry, yet I do not eat. My chest burns, yet I do not breathe. My heart pains, yet I do not speak. Still I live, though I crave to die. Is this life?

Tehsil Mastuj is one of the most isolated and backward regions, strategically located in the northern tip of the district Chitral. Bordering with Wakhan strip of Afghanistan and northern areas via shandur pass and Broghil valley. The last valley Broghil lies at a distance of 200 KM from the tehsil head quarter Booni town. Jeep travel from Chitral to Yarkhunlasht takes 12 hours, which is equal to the time it takes to reach Peshawar from Chitral a distance of 400 KM. Even to this day there is no jeep road for Broghil valley. From Yarkhunlasht very often the people walk on foot with essential commodities on their own or on horseback for about 50km to reach the last settlement of Tehsil Mastuj (Lashkargaz).

Through number of passes, the area is linked with Afghanistan and northern areas of Pakistan. Tajikistan can easily be reached through the Wakhan corridor from here.

Tehsil Mastuj is the biggest tehsil of Chitral according to its geographical location and distance. The Tehsil has got some important lakes like Shandur, Qarumbara and around 40 small lakes are located in Broghil valley. The longest glacier of Chitral Chiantar lies in Broghil valley, which is the main source of Chitral River or Yarkhun River.

Recently the subdivision has played vital role in electing the MNA and MPA in Chitral.

The road to the famous shandur polo ground has yet not been blacktop.
The nearest high school lies in a distance of three days full walk from the last settlement Lashkargaz to Bang. The nearest hospital with basic facilities lies in a distance of 200 km from Broghil in Booni town. The nearest government college, hostel, NGOs offices, Regional council and other government organization are situated in a distance of 200 KM from the last valley and it takes almost three to four days to access to these facilities.

Why and for how long this tehsil will be neglected? When will it develop? What are our weakness and what can be done to bring progress in this region of Pakistan?

Shahid Zulfiqar Ali Butto had brought even fodder for our animals and feed us in the 70s. We have elected now the most experienced, well politician and known personality for national assembly and even for provisional assembly. Is it enough to elect only good leaders or something else most be done to get maximum services from our leaders. Are they really interested to bring progress in this region? Do they play progressive role sitting in the opposition benches? They former MNA and MPA even not bothered to visit this tehsil and equal to nothing has been done in this region.

The leadership of northern area Giligit is struggling to bring shandur festival in Deosai plans, considering it the highest playground located in above 13500 ft in Skardu district. Where they think all facilities are available including three star hotels just located in few hours drive from the Deosai plain to Skardu town and one famous lake is located near the polo ground of Deosai. I started a small festival in the name of BROGHIL FESTIVAL by my own efforts in 1999. Slowly and gradually it gained popularity in the district and Pakistan. Recently the government has banned this festival and alternative place has been identified, that is Darkhot. Which is again located in Yasin valley of northern areas Gilgit. Yet our leadership is silent and even does not know about this issue. My main objective by performing BROGHIL FESTIVAL was to draw the attention of government agencies to this poor area and would show them Tajikistan just lies with in horse ride from Darwaza Pass.

If all are struggling for their rights, then why we the people of Mastuj are silent?
The greatest need is to form such an active united committee consisting of our leaders, well-educated people and active youths and start practical works on these issues. We have to remind our elected leaders about their duties, we have to fight for our legal and reasonable rights. We have to make delegations and meet the federal government and provisional government and address these issues. The PPP government has always been kind to the people of Chitral. This is the golden opportunity for all of us to take first step for development with clean hearts and positive intentions. If we just look at the role of mere our elected leaders, we will again have to suffer for next five years. The need is to give them our hands, even if our hands are weak, if they are joined together can play positive and progressive role for our backward area.

I search blindly
In the darkness
Of my heart
For the lamp of help
That was glowing once
In it’s heavenly light
I used to write

But it is no longer there
Black ash, I see
Scattered everywhere.

Now that you are gone
You have taken along
My power of expression
My illumination
My inspiration.

With thanks
Umar Rafee Broghilic