LOWER DIR: Social and political activists here on Friday demanded of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan to initiate process for the establishment of a new Dir or Panjkora division with Timergara city as its headquarters.

Talking to this correspondent in Timergara, social activists Akbar Khan and Ebrash Pasha and political activists Arshad Zaman, Yaqub Khan and others said the provincial government had announced the establishment of Dir/Panjkora division in January 2020, but the plan was yet to be implemented.

They said Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Lower Chitral, Upper Chitral and Bajaur with a total population of about 40 million and an area of 21,421 square kilometres be made a separate administrative division.

The activists said these districts at present were part of Malakand division, which was one of the largest divisions in Pakistan with a total population of about 90 million and area of 32,000 square kilometres with Saidu Sharif as its headquarters.

They said the divisional headquarters was located 82 kilometres from Timergara and it was difficult for the top administration to reach it timely during any emergency.

The activists said the proposed division had a great potential for tourism development as it had scenic spots like Laram Top, Shahi Top, Jazz Banda, Kathora Jheel, Kumrat, Kalash valley, Shandur and Baroghal, while its Panjkora River could be used for generating cheap electricity.

They said that the existing offices in Timergara could be utilised for the new division.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022