CHITRAL: Jamaat-i-Islami, Kosht union council, chief Abdullah Jan has demanded of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) authorities to restore the warehouse of Booni in Upper Chitral to ensure smooth supply of goods in the vast expanse of the district.

He told mediapersons here on Saturday that the corporation had abolished its warehouse for Upper Chitral last year after which the shortage of essential commodities like wheat flour, ghee and sugar was occurring frequently, as presently these were only supplied from Chitral city.

He said the provision of a separate storage facility was essential for Upper Chitral which had distant valleys like Terich, Rech, Khot, Oveer, Gohkir, Laspur, Yarkhoon and Baroghil where timely supply of commodities was not possible from Chitral city.

He said that during extended winter the roads to the valleys remained closed due to snow and avalanches. He said keeping in view the weather conditions the supply to these valleys would be possible only if the warehouse was located in Upper Chitral.

Mr Jan said presently the people of distant valleys were constantly deprived of subsidised items of daily consumption.

USC regional manager in Chitral, Akmal Khan, admitted the need for a warehouse in Booni and said the facility had to be abolished there for want of a rent-free space as it was withdrawn by the local community.

He said as per rules of the corporation there was no allocation of rent for unscheduled warehouses and Booni was one such station.

FOOTBALL: In recognition of his services for promotion of football in Chitral, Pakistan Football Federation senior vice-president Sardar Naveed Haider has been appointed patron-in-chief of Chitral Football Academy.

In a joint meeting of Chitral Football Academy and District Football Association here on Saturday, headed by Haji Hussain Ahmed, the efforts of Mr Haider for promotion of football in Chitral were appreciated. In a unanimous decision, Mr Haider was authorised to also represent the association across the country.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2021