THIS is apropos of Nazir Ahmad’s letter ‘Chitral interns awaiting payment of stipends’ (April 2). Apart from that, the educated youths who are considered torch-bearers and national builders are victim of injustice and apathy in this neglected area. The communication system between Chitral and the rest of Pakistan is badly affected during the winter season due to heavy snowfall. Examinations and interviews of competitive candidates of Chitral are usually conducted in Peshawar or Swat without caring for the hurdles on the way to appear in the winter season.

The Provincial Management Service examinations of KPK started in January this year. Many competent candidates received their call letters in the middle of the examinations while the others could not reach the venue. The road that linked Chitral to Swat was closed due to heavy snowfall.

The flights were also hampered due to uncongenial weather. Some who could manage to reach Swat were disappointed when they were forced to take their papers in open air in such an unfavourable weather.

The writing of the candidates was badly affected because their hands were covered with gloves. They wrote for six hours and sat in front of the mountains covered with snow.

A majority of them fell ill due to the severe cold. The candidates in Peshawar, on the other hand, were provided comfortable rooms. The area was warmer than Swat.

Such important examinations and interviews in Chitral should be held in the last week of February like that of the CSS examinations.

The government should also take serious notice of this blunder to ensure the rule of law in the country.

JAMSHAID AHMAD Chitral

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