CHITRAL: Residents of Chitral town have expressed surprise over the latest government decision of closing markets for three days in a week as was done prior to Eid. Shoppers and shopkeepers said the logic behind the sporadic and inconsistent method of imposing a lockdown. People were of the opinion that SOPS for prevention of the virus Covid were being violated everywhere from banks to mosques to stores etc. How would closing the markets for three days help in controlling, where rest of the four days social distancing would not be observed anyway. People have appealed to the government to deal with the situation sensibly and not make life further difficult for the people.
Chitral News Briefs
Water channel breach in Khot causes damage to property
CHITRAL: A main water channel in Khot village of Torkhow tehsil upper Chitral was damaged due to landslide. Water breaching the channel poured into near by crop fields and even damaged few house. The residents however managed to shift to safer a location. The affectees have appealed to the government to help them as the crunch of corona virus already has put them in dire financial condition.
Eid celebrated in Chitral flouting all precautionary instructions
CHITRAL: Eid was celebrated along the Chitral valley in the two districts in a usual manner with complete disregard to the precautionary instructions and government SOPS regarding the Coronavirus threat. Large congregations were addressed by the religious prayers who stressed upon following the government SOPS regarding the virus leaders, ironically to jam packed prayer goers in front of them who cared a hoot for the instructions. The Ulema said we must follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and observe parda etc and said Coronavirus is a warning to us from Allah for deviating from the right path.
Unfortunately speeches and sermons of Ulema due to being stereo type and repetitive, are taken as a routine matter by the audience prayer goers and do not create a viable impression on their minds.
The markets, transport activity and social mixing, Eid embracing and intermingling was at a usual Eid high pitch. Many said Coronavirus is a hoax and no body has died from it. Only ten percent people were seen wearing masks. Similar reports came in from Drosh, Ayun, Booni, Garam Chashma, Mulkhow and other places of population concentration. .. CN report, 24 May 2020
“Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return.”- Al Quran
CHITRAL: All eyes are gloomy and hearts sorrowful on the tragic accident of he PIA flight in Karachi. Loss of lives is always a sorrowful happening. In this case the passengers were mostly going home after a long time to spend Eid with their families only two days away. The crew of the airplane, the young passengers including a fresh graduate of the millitary academy heading home jubilantly, and other passengers equally deservant of living bit longer have all left their near and dear ones high and dry while themselves transcending into eternity. May Allah bless their souls and grant patience and fortitude to their families to bear the loss with grace and poise.
Disturbing news from the social media (hope they are untrue) is that before the authorities arrived on the crash scene some unscrupulous people were witnessed removing jewelry and money from the dead bodies and looting the damaged houses. Although it is abhorable to even think of such a ghastly act but given the moral abyss that we have descended to, the possibility cannot be ruled out.. It is high time that our religious preachers stop giving tips of getting sins pardoned otherwise there will be no restrain on committing sins like this and life will go on like this. .. CN report, 23 May 2020
Chitral Police continues to take action against drug paddling
CHITRAL: Chitral Police has released it’s latest update on activities against drug paddlers. Police has recovered 12.25 Kg cannabis, 245 gm opium, 10 gm heroin,and 17 liters of local spirit. The DPO has said that there would be no let up in action against drug pushers and other anti social activities.
Tourist beggars roam Chitral bazars despite ban on entry ?
CHITRAL: Right after the restriction on public transport was lifted, beggars from down country have appeared in Chitral bazars as if they were waiting for the time. It is so easy to sweep these beggars and send them across the Lowari and it only needs a few policemen with batons to do it. With the virus threat looming high and even locals are restricted in many ways, unhindered entry of beggars without any screening or quarantining can increase the risk of the virus spread. Hopefully by filing of this report the administration will have done the needful to remove professional beggars from Chitral.
Record of incoming passengers to Chitral shall be obtained at the tunnel
CHITRAL: According to a decision at a meeting presided by DC Lower Chitral, record of passengers entering the district would be obtained at the tunnel and transmitted to the control room at the DC office. The team doing so would comprise of personnel from Health Deptt, Chitral Scouts, Chitral Police and Chitral Levies. No persons from outside district coming for tourism would be allowed. and any foreigners would be quarantined for fourteen days, the communique said.
Snow leopard kills 30 goats after intruding in their shed
CHITRAL: A snow leopard entered the goat shed in village Barghuzi of lower Chitral and killed thirty goats. Snow leopard is a protected rare specie and killing it is prohibited by law. However the leopard comes down upon cattle sheds when it does not find enough food in the mountains and does what it has done. The WWF and Snow Leopard foundation staff visited the site and assured the owner of the slain gots adequate compensation.
Chitrali girl completes Graduation in US under Fulbright scholarship
CHITRAL: Safina Ahmad d/o Nizar Ahmad of Kargin upper Chitral has completed her graduation in ‘Public health communication and marketing’ from George Washington University. She was studying at the University under Fulbright scholarship.
Markets to remain open 7 days a week up till 5 pm
CHITRAL: After the decree of the Supreme court, the provincial govt has announced that all shops and markets would be allowed to be open for business seven days a week up to 5 pm.