CHITRAL: The Chitral police averted an armed clash between two influential groups over the ownership of a piece of land in Gahirait village here on Friday night.

Ayun sub-divisional police officer Hassanullah told Dawn that the two parties had taken positions near the disputed land, and a highly charged situation prevailed there. However, the police started their efforts for reconciliation between the two groups, he said, adding the police succeeded in persuading both the groups to come to the negotiating table and withdraw their men from the disputed land.

“Our efforts proved fruitful as the two sides inked a reconciliation deed by Friday night and embraced each other and also agreed to withdraw criminal cases instituted against each other,” he said.

The police officer said the dispute between the royal family of Gahirait and the Akhunzada family of Kessu had become a potential threat to the peaceful environment of the area.

ACTION DEMANDED: MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and MPA Maulana Hedayatur Rahman have demanded of the provincial governor to take action against the administration of the University of Chitral for organising a music and dance show at the campus, which they said was ‘against’ the tenets of Islam and the local culture.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the lawmakers said women in Chitral strictly observed veil, where it was not even imaginable for them to take part in musical shows. They regretted that the university’s administration crossed all limits by organising the concert.

They said the people of Chitral had expressed anguish over the concert when its video went viral on social media. They warned that a harsh reaction from people could not be ruled out if no action was taken against the organisers.

The lawmakers said they would also raise the matter on the floor of both the national and provincial assemblies.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2021