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Responsibility of local, provincial and federal Government in Post Lowari Scenario

Trading has been a part of human civilization since pre-historic times. Trading is a form of interaction between people in such a way that it involves elements of adventure, diversity of possessions, enjoying travel, reducing hunger and socialization. Therefore, we can safely agree on a point that desire for trade and profits is a basic human desire. Another basic human desire is to be safe and secure.
We as rational human beings want to be secure and protected. Therefore, inhabitants of a common place want to stand behind an institution named government. Residents of a country through mutual understanding give the power to rule to the fundamental institute of a state i.e. government. Hence, it is a prime duty of a government to provide security of life, property and culture to its people.
Chitral valley is located in the North West of Pakistan. It is a beautiful basin in the Hindukush range of Mountains. Historically it has been an important route for many invaders to south East Asia, such as Alexander the great, Mangol Changez Khan and few others. Chitral is a small yet beautiful place of Pakistan, the people are more civilized all over the world, and they are the most tolerant people in Pakistan except few people who spend their lives in other part of the country.
Given the current situation, the local government along with the federal government may have to take care of a number of issues like terrorism etc. Here are some of the policy recommendations for the government to keep Chitral safe and sound from such issues and step forward in development
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1. Better security in the District
• Government departments should be established in Chitral to keep a strict check on each and every activity such as security, food prices, transport, education, tourism and cultural festivals.
• All vehicles must be registered with Chitral Scout or Chitral Police when they cross Lowari Tunnel or come from any other crossing point.
• All non – Chitralis must be registered their names to Chitral Scout or Chitral Police before entering into Arandu or any other crossing point.
• Government should assign and train alternate personnel for the critical posts at the both sides of the tunnel.
• Government should review the efficiency of regulatory framework of government departments related to security and travel on annual basis.
• Government entity should be made in Chitral that should be solely responsible for crisis management in that valley and it should communicate its problems to the federal government. This government entity should be accountable to the local residents of Chitral.
• Local government with coordination of central government should develop a comprehensive security plan to protect local people from burglary, corruption, conflict, disorder, fraud, illegal trade, strife and turmoil.
• Government should recommend essential workers posted in the Lowari Tunnel for security purposes. These workers should stay at a distance of one kilometer from each other at all times.
• All non-custom paid vehicle must be registered locally and the owners must be entitle legally, all vehicles which are non-custom paid owning Dir, Swat or any other number plates must be ban to enter into Chitral.

2. Mineral resources, environment and power
• Chitral is full of mineral resource therefore, all leases must be given to local people and in case lease given to non-Chitralis they must be bound to accountable to the local community and local government. The portion of royalty must go to the local community development.
• There is a huge potential of power generation by cheaper sources; such as water must be provided on priority basis. Electricity must be alternative source of power instead of fuel wood, some portion of the electricity and the mineral resources royalty must be used to grow more trees in the area.
• All managerial position must be given to Chitralis in mineral, power and forest department, as they are the local residents and therefore, they can handle the use of local resources in a relatively efficient way.
• Fuel and timber wood must be ban to sell out side Chitral.
• There must be some budget to make awareness about the possibility threat for environment.
• Glaciers protection committee must be forum in district level.
• Government should pass a resolution that Chitrali people should not sell their land and property to other people. All local residents of Chitral should be aware of this resolution.
• People in Chitral may sell their land and property to the local residents of Chitral. Where land and property lease should not be more than 10 years.

3. Tourism & culture
• Government should develop a communication strategy to improve public awareness especially in remote rural areas in Chitral and surrounding valley.
• Clear messages for citizens and media about any threat and planned response should be delivered effectively.
• Local government should set up a national website as sources of advice, guidance and information and assign national and provincial spokespersons.
• Interests of visitors should be incorporated in future planning.
• Local foods and music must be promoted by government in national and international level.
• Five pillars Pamiri house must be protected and encourage to build.
• People must encourage and make awareness to wear the old Raghz paint; Shuqa and other Chitrali dresses instead of the Poshtun influenced shilwar kamis.
• Most cultural interaction shall be interact with Northern Areas & Central Asian people instead of rest of Pakistan because they have rich culture quit similar with them.
• Re-creation activities must be encouraged, old musical instrument must be re-introduced among the young generations.
• Local festival i.e. Noveroze must be celebrated like other Central Asian Countries.
• All tourists who are visiting Chitral must be medically fit they must not be infected any kind of bad diseases.
• Local Banks and NGOs design friendly product to promote eco-tourism in Chitral.
• New climbing peaks must be introduced for the learning climber and there must be climbing academy in Chitral.
• Crossing point in Garum Chama, Arkari or Broghil is very important to attract the tourists who are coming from Central Asian Countries.
• Air Safari is also possible alternatives between Chitral Pakistan and Badakhshan Tajikistan to bring the tourists who are willing travel in the most beautiful places in Central Asia and Pakistan.
• Skating and paragliding must be introduced among the young generations of Chitral.
• Old tracking routes must be promoted and new tracking routes needs to introduce.

4. Trade, area development & food securities
• Government should allocate a budget to continue these services for the people in Chitral.
• Local community should take active part in future planning and suggest new methods of development in Chitral.
• Government should develop plan to meet the basic needs such as food, health, shelter, water and sanitation of vulnerable population in Chitral.
• Young generations and female segment of the society must be involved in decision making.
• Roles and responsibilities of each government department should be clear and well defined in order to identify gaps and avoid duplication
• Government and local people together need to develop business and trade plans to limit disruption.
• Transport operators and authorities need to minimize staff absences in vital transport and loading and unloading facilities to enable supply of medicines and food to continue.
• In business and trade plans, government should consider the ways to deal with high level of staff absenteeism and how they can minimize its impact on their activities.
• Government should plan for security risks for their operations and plan supply chain.
• Public should be informed and consulted about government plans in order to manage expectations.
• In order to maintain public confidence, government should reveal that they have; strong plans, the power to take extraordinary measures if needed, the capacity to deliver essential services
• Reliably and arrangements to return to normal life quickly.
• Communication skills training should be provided to those expected to be involved in communicating the needs and desires of local people to the federal government.
• Community groups and leaders should be used to enhance and develop public confidence, disseminate information and identify people at risk.
 

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