The Deputy Commissioner of Chitral

Not long ago President Musharraf, during a visit to Chitral had asked me ” Siraj I really want to do something to improve the lives of the people of Chitral who I like very much. In your opinion what can the government do?” Without hesitation I heard my self answer ” Sir just send us the best Deputy Commissioner, the best Commandant of Chitral Scouts and the best DPO”. The President was not amused.

Osama Ahmed Warraich is such a person. When I met him soon after his arrival in Chitral it was easy for me to see that he is head and shoulders above many of the Deputy Commissioners who had recently preceded him. Surely this must be a fluke that we have got a person of this stature to head our district government I told myself. And ever since then I feared that he will be pulled away from us before completing his normal tenure. Now my fears have been proved correct and once again I am feeling that the government of KP is giving Chitral step-motherly treatment.

Whatever the reasons may be for posting Osama out of Chitral it is not fair on us. He had settled down quickly to undertake a number of projects for the welfare of the majority even when he felt that such projects may bring him the displeasure of other people. Anyone could walk into his office to get a patient hearing and see some action taken. It did not take long for anyone to realise that the man occupying the DC’s chair in Chitral was a clean-hearted man who was sensible and had the genuine interest of the people of the district at heart. I personally know of many heads of international organisations and potential donors who came out of DC Osama’s office with a sense of satisfaction that they would be dealing with a man who they could trust and who would  deliver.

2017 will be an important year for Chitral. We are going to see un matched development in hydro-electricity production, road building and internet connectivity. It is absolutely crucial that we have someone like Osama Ahmed Waraich heading our district administration during that time.

I appeal to the KP government to have pity on Chitral by stopping the posting of our Deputy Commissioner. I can only hope and pray that all this is only a rumour or a bad dream. — Siraj Ulmulk, Chitral 06 Nov 2016.