CHITRAL: The utility stores in Chitral are short of essential commodities, including sugar, cooking oil, pulses, wheat flour, syrups, jams, washing powder, etc, in the absence of replenishment from the headquarters.

The people complained that well before the advent of Ramazan, the utility stores were becoming empty of essential commodities. They said such stores had been opened in all the 100 village councils of the district.

District Nazim Maghfirat Shah said the empty utility stores set up during the PML-N government could cause law and order situation because the people were resenting the apathetic attitude of the government towards Chitral.

Talking to mediapersons on Wednesday, he said the people of low income groups benefited from the utility stores by purchasing essential items at lower prices, especially in Ramazan.

He criticised the government for its failure to replenish the items in the utility stores during Ramazan.

An official of Utility Stores Corporation told Dawn that no fresh stock had been sent to the region since the last six months and only limited items were available in district warehouse presently.

PEOPLE GET RATION PACKAGE: Ration package and goats were distributed among residents of the border area of Baroghil in the north by the Chitral Task Force the other day.

The ration package included wheat flour, ghee and pulses, which were allocated on household basis along with a goat to replenish the needs of proteins in the area which is still covered with snow confining its residents to their homes.

Earlier, a special medical team had also been sent to the area by the commandant of the force, Colonel Moeenuddin, and the doctors examined about 200 patients, including women and children, and distributed free medicines.

Meanwhile, Ramazan food packages were distributed to about 1,000 families by Pakistan Baitul Maal on behalf of King Salman of Saudi Arabia. The package consisted of wheat flour, cooking oil, rice, pulses, syrups and dates.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2019