KURRAM: A wooden structure nestled at an altitude of 9,941 feet in the snowbound Koh-i-Safaid mountain in Kurram tribal district lies in a shambles owing to stark negligence on part of the authorities.

The Chapari rest house, comprising three rooms, was built in 1924 by a British army officer. It was later declared a rest house and three guards were detailed to protect the structure, who have long disappeared.

The off-grid rest house presents an epic example of neglect and lack of care. A local visitor, Rashid Hussain, says that walls, windows, doors and other equipment in the rest house have been badly vandalised over the years.

Years back, he said, the then political administration had evolved a mechanism for the visitors and issued permits to them for overnight stay there. The administration had installed a power generator and provided other required facilities in the rest house to facilitate the visitors. The rest house used to be properly maintained.

Project director of the tourism department for the merged districts, Ashfaq Bangash, when contacted, said that there was only a walking track and no proper access road to the Chapari rest house.

He said that steps could be taken for the rehabilitation of the rest house if a proper road was constructed.

He said that the tourism department was taking initiatives for the preservation and rehabilitation of the tourist spots in the merged districts.

However, a tribal elder, Mujahid Turi, while expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of the rest house said that the government should declare the structure a heritage site.

He said if immediate steps were not taken the wooden structure would collapse.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2022