CHITRAL: Residents of Sonoghur and Parwak villages continue to risk their lives daily, crossing a dilapidated wooden suspension bridge that has remained in a state of ruin since being ravaged by flash floods in June 2007 and despite the passage of 19 years, hundreds of people including women and children made their way through the precarious structure to access essential services.

Village elders including Sajjad Sirang and Isa Ali told local media here that Parwak residents are heavily dependent on Sonoghur for high school, hospital and grain godown of food department and conversely Sonoghur residents must cross into Parwak to reach the Shandur Road for onward travel.

“Sonoghur is one of the most picturesque villages in Chitral and holds immense tourism potential, but this bridge is the primary obstacle,” the elders stated.

They said that in the immediate aftermath of the 2007 disaster, the community constructed a temporary bridge on a self-help basis but with rampant poverty in the region, locals say they lack financial resources to maintain or replace the structure permanently.

The elders warned that the bridge’s current condition is “highly dangerous,” noting that a major accident could occur at any moment.

They described the official neglect as a “moment of reflection” for the government.

When contacted, the deputy commissioner Upper Chitral, Muhammad Imran Yousufzai, said he was aware of the situation.

He assured that the matter has been taken up with the relevant departments to secure a special repair grant for the bridge.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026