CHITRAL: According to latest media reports all the arrangements have been completed near Arandu border to accommodate 1200 Afghan refugee families. The people of Chitral have already shown their reservations at it’s possible negative impact on our society and economy.

According to the latest census the total population of Chitral (upper+lower Chitral) is half a million. It means (1200 families) we are expecting somewhat like one lack Afghan refugees. In such a brief and short time, the influx of one lack people is quite a formidable number.

On the contrary, Chitral is supposed to be one of the most remote and backward area of Pakistan. We don’t have any factories due to which job creation in Chitral is a huge problem. Our economic condition is vulnerable while our infrastructure is the poorest in Pakistan. I don’t know what policies and strategy have been finalised and executed by our policy makers in this regard. There is a one billion dollar question here. Will these people will be just confined in there shelters or they will be allowed to mix and mingle with rest of the population in Chitral.

The gravity of the situation demands that a special financial package should be announced be the centre so that we can improve our poor infrastructure and similarly the youth of Chitral should be given financial assistance to start their own business. We can only cope this Challenge if we make the people of Chitral economically strong.