PESHAWAR, Aug 19: The under-privileged people of the largest district of NWFP, Chitral, have unanimously rejected the proposed law of “land settlement” and declared it against the basic human rights.

Expressing his grave concern over the proposed law by the provincial government, former MPA and leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Zainul Aabideen has said the government should take the people into confidence before taking any step.

Talking to PPI he said only four per cent of the land is agricultural while the rest of the 96 per cent is not agricultural and consisted of glaciers, rocks, hills and forests. He said due to this about 90 per cent of the people are compelled to purchase wheat and other crops from the market. He said in this situation, the government has decided to take riverbeds and barren lands under the land settlement law is unjust and against the basic human rights.

Zainul Aabideen said such unjust step is taken against Malakand Agency and Lower Dir but he added that the people of the area unanimously reject it.

He demanded of the government that the people of Chitral will not accept any law and decision before the construction of all-weather road to Chitral. The government should also take the people into confidence before taking any step towards them.

The ex-MPA said the government should develop tourism in the area and prepare plans for the protection of wild life.—PPI