www.chitraltimes.com

Chitralis' rally asks youth to work for peace

By Zar Alam Khan

ISLAMABAD: As the wave of terrorism in most parts of the country rages on, participants of a rally held here on Tuesday called upon the masses, especially the youth, to play their role in defeating the forces out to derail peace and threaten the integrity of the country.

The rally was organised by Chitral Heritage and Environment Preservation Society (CHEPS) in Shakarparian as part of its countrywide campaign to promote peace and create public awareness of environmental issues.

The participants, including students, were carrying placards inscribed with slogans for peace and clean environment.

President of the society Rehmat Ali Jafar Dost said people of Chitral had played a key role in maintaining peace in their district besides rendering sacrifices in fighting the menace of terrorism in other parts of the province. He said his organisation had started the peace mission by holding rallies at the Qurumbar Lake near the Wakhan corridor in Chitral, Shandur Pass and in various other parts of the valley as well as in Peshawar.

He said he wanted to convey his message to the people urging them to dedicate their time and knowledge for a peaceful and green Pakistan.

Mr Rehmat Ali also said that climate change was putting its adverse effects on the people of mountainous areas. As world leaders are attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen (COP15), we urge the international community to pay heed to the issues of people in mountainous regions who are under threat due to rising temperatures.

He said climate change was threatening the biodiversity, glaciers and livelihood of the people in mountainous regions.

Chitral has been threatened by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and two villages - Sonoghor and Brep - have almost been wiped out by the recent climate change phenomena.

He said deforestation was another issue facing the people of the valley. He said he planned to launch a drive in collaboration with educational institutions to plant at least 0.2 million saplings in Chitral during the year 2010. He demanded that the government should impose a ban on cutting of trees in the valley for ten years.--Dawn

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPENING OF LAWARI TUNNEL FOR TRAFFIC DECIDED - SALEEM

Chitraltimes.com Report

PESHAWAR: NWFP Minister for Population Welfare, Saleem Khan, has said that keeping in view the difficulties faced by chitralians due to the blockade of lawari pass in winter season; it has principally been decided to open the under-construction lawari tunnel for traffic for two hours on daily basis.

In a statement, after attending a high level meeting regarding the tunnel in Islamabad, the other day, he has said it was decided in the meeting that National Highway Authority will make up the financial loss of the construction company (SAMBO) due to opening of the under construction tunnel for traffic while the provincial government will take the responsibility of security.

Saleem Khan has thanked the Chief Minister NWFP, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan for taking personal interest in this regard.