Hashoo Foundation urged not to wind up from Chitral

CHITRAL: Civil society activists have called upon the higher-ups of Hashoo Foundation not to wind up its  activities in Chitral in the best interest of the people of the most backward valley.

Sources told ChitralToday that around 30 employees working with the Hashoo Foundation in Chitral have been informed that their services would come to an end by Sept 30, 2018, as the foundation was winding up its activities in the district.

A number of civil society activists said since 2004 the foundation had been working in different fields providing employment opportunities, training and financial assistance to students, especially females.

They said Chitral was the most backward district with a minimum government intervention in the development sector, particularly in the field of human resource development.

The only relief has always come from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) being in the forefront.

The Hashoo Foundation came to Chitral in 2004 and in a very short span of time contributed much to the poor communities in the backward and remote areas of the valley. Its child education support, social welfare and scholarship programmes have provided much needed benefits to the communities.

Hundreds of students from poor families across Chitral are now studying in different educational institutions across the country through the financial support of the foundation, said one of the activist requesting not to be named.

Similarly, many people who cannot afford costly medical treatment get free of cost medicines through the support of the foundation. If the foundation closes its local office it would be a very big blow to the betterment of the poor families, they added.

The chairman of the foundation has been requested to reconsider the decision of winding up its welfare activities in Chitral so that the marginalized communities could continue benefiting from it.