CHITRAL: The Kalash people living in the picturesque valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur have expressed their pleasure at the start of the Kalash Valleys Development Authority (KVDA), which was established four years ago to focus on the integrated development of the region.

The chairmen of two village councils of the valleys Sultan Khan (Rumbur) and Khalil (Bumburate) told Dawn that the development body remained in embryonic stage until it began its activities at the start of the year by opening its offices here.

They said that the Kalash residents had pinned high hopes with the development authority for the uplift of valleys and poverty alleviation.

They said that the KVDA reopened the irrigation channels in Bumburate valley which were washed away by flood last year and the locals were unable to repair and restore them due to huge amount of money was required for the task. They appreciated the inclusion of the local bodies’ representatives in the management of the authority and said that it was one of the basic demands of the residents.

Established under Tourism Act of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2019, the body was aimed at preservation of culture and heritage, promotion of sustainable tourism, livelihood diversification, climate resilience and infrastructure development.

An official stated that KVDA’s governing body consisted of 12 members who included 8 government officers and 4 private members representing the local communities, and one of these member was selected as chairman of the board.

JI DIST EMIR: Newly elected district emir of Jamaat -i-Islami Wajeehud Din took oath of his office administered by the outgoing emir Maulana Jamshid in a ceremony.

The JI local leaders and workers attended the event in large number. Addressing on the occasion, Wajeehud Din urged that youth should be given due place in party ranks who formed the major chunk of the population.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2024