ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: Lamenting the apathy of the state in providing basic necessities of life to the residents of Chitral, speakers at a programme here on Saturday called upon the people to promote education for sustainable development and preservation of their culture and the native Khowar language.

The event, titled "Education awareness raising and retention of Chitrali culture", was organized by Al-Karim Welfare and Development Organization, Islamabad. Folk artists from the Al-Fatah, Royal, Terich and Lotkoh groups also performed at the programme to pay tributes to Baba Fatehuddin for his services to the Khowar music.

Member customs Abdul Wali Khan was the chief guest, while the programme was presided over by Wg Cdr (retired) Fardad Ali Shah. Peshawar-based Chitral Journalists' Forum President Mohammad Sharif Shakeeb, Ali Afsar, Jannat-i-Hoor, Abdul Majeed, Sultan Mehmood and others spoke on the occasion.

They said Chitral's unique geo-strategic position had also entangled the valley in myriads of interwoven problems. Since its unconditional secession to Pakistan at the time of independence, the people of the former princely state have faced perpetual poverty, discrimination and deprivation at the hands of both the federal and provincial governments.

The speakers said the glaciers of their valley were a major source of water for the plains of the country in the shape of the Chitral-Kabul river, but the royalty received by the NWFP government was spent for development of other districts of the province.

They said it was a pity that at the dawn of the 21st century, people in Chitral lived in a stone-age-like situation, and remained cut off from their own country for five months every year due to non-existence of an all-weather route.

Despite their enlightened posture, peaceable nature and an urge for acquiring education, successive governments have kept the people of the district deprived of basic educational facilities.

Meanwhile, a declamation contest on "Education is more important for women than for men" was also held on the occasion. Sidra Habib, a class 4 student, stood first, while Marium Nauroz bagged the second position.