CHITRAL: The people of Bamburate, Birir and Rumbur valleys have given the government until June 30 to abolish the Kalash Valleys Development Authority (KVDA), declaring the institution unacceptable, and vowing not to hesitate to make any sacrifice if it was not disbanded.

Addressing a protest meeting in Bumburate valley here on Friday, the leaders of Kalash valleys, including Sarawat Shah, Mohammad Rafi Advocate, Khurshid Ahmed, Bahram Shah, Mehfil Rahmat Ali, Buzurg Khan, Saifullah and others, said that instead of bringing progress and prosperity to the three valleys, the establishment of KVDA had become a cause of worry and anxiety. They alleged that illegal taxes and fines were being imposed on the people under various pretexts, leading to more poverty in the impoverished valleys.

The Kalash people accused former special assistant to the chief minister and minority MPA Wazirzada of ‘imposing’ KVDA on the people of the valleys without their consent. They alleged that instead of becoming a development institution, the authority had become a means of collecting money for a few mafias.

They said that the practice of forced labour and illegal taxation in the former state of Chitral had ended after the formation of Pakistan, but “Wazirzada had resumed the practice of illegal taxation through KVDA”.

The leaders of the Kalash valleys described those supporting the KVDA as traitors, saying that they wanted to trade the innocent people of the three valleys and their interests for a few bucks.

They alleged that with the establishment of this institution, an attempt had been made to create division between Muslim and Kalash communities, who have been living together in peace, love and harmony in the three valleys since ancient times.

They alleged that the authority was formed on the basis of oppression and conspiracy. They said they wouldn’t tolerate the offices and presence of KVDA in the valleys even for a moment after the deadline.

Mehfil Rehmat Ali, who presided over the meeting, insisted that the establishment of the authority was dealing a severe blow to tourism in the three valleys. “Since this institution is not in line with the people’s aspirations, it is natural for a clear majority of the people to reject it,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2025