DROSH: As the government remained unmoved to resolve the wheat crisis after jacking up its price from Rs6,000 per 100 kg to Rs11,500, political parties and civil society have mobilized the public across Chitral.
Protest gatherings and sit-ins have been held in Ashiret, Drosh, Chitral town, Booni and other areas and more such rallies are to be held especially before the start of the three-day annual Shandur polo festival from July 7.
On Sunday, at a protest gathering in Drosh, the participants announced that roads would be blocked from Ashiret to Mastuj from July 5.
They said Chitral was situated at a strategic location bordering Gilgit-Baltistan and Afghanistan but the successive governments had always ignored this important geostrategic district.
The speakers said a sense of deprivation prevailed among the people of both districts due to the alleged indifferent attitude of previous and the incumbent rulers.
They voiced concern over the dilapidated condition of roads due to which tourism could not be promoted in the region despite having a large number scenic places, lakes and mountains.
The indifferent attitude of the government for the last 70 years, they added, had negatively impacted the residents in both the districts.
The protesters warned that they would continue their struggle till acceptance of their demands and the government would be responsible for any inconvenience caused to the public during the protests.