CHITRAL: Pakistan People\’s Party (PPP) Chitral has condemned what it called a baseless and negative campaign launched on social media by certain members of Anjuman Taraqqi Khowar against the party and former provincial minister Saleem Khan.
In a press release, the PPP Chitral said the campaign stemmed from a misrepresentation of a legitimate concern regarding literary ethics, and that some individuals joined in based on longstanding personal grievances with the party.
The statement emphasized the PPP’s longstanding contributions to Chitral’s development, including the Lowari Tunnel, Radio Chitral, power projects, and the establishment of schools, colleges, and roads. These initiatives, the party said, are widely acknowledged even by political rivals.
It also highlighted the PPP’s commitment to promoting literature and the arts, citing the establishment of Radio Pakistan Chitral and the Chitral Press Club as examples.
The PPP praised Saleem Khan\’s humility, inclusive approach, and service-driven politics, calling his tenure a golden period for Chitral’s development. The party particularly noted his role in 2008 in advocating for the inclusion of the Chitrali language in early education, when Pashto was made mandatory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa schools.
Referring to the recent controversy, the party criticized noted writer Afzalullah Afzal for using “unbecoming of and personal” language in his criticism of President Asif Ali Zardari. It stated that such expressions undermine the dignity of literature and should have been avoided.
“Freedom of expression is a democratic right, but no one should use it as a pretext to insult or vilify others,” the statement said, expressing hope that such incidents will not be repeated in the future.