The Saga of Torkhow Road

Sabir Aman
The unity, sincerity of purpose, and awareness of rights have made the people, especially the youth, of Torkhow in Upper Chitral proud. After waiting for years, they decided to challenge the delay surrounding the much-needed road project.

They formed an organization, the Torkhow-Terich Road Forum (TTRF), to launch a peaceful struggle despite all odds.
According to Ahmad Zareen Charwelo, ex-banker and noted social activist, Rs 280 million had been approved for the Booni-Buzund Road in 2009, thanks to the efforts of MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin. The project was launched, and the widening of the road was successfully completed through different contractors, he added.
In 2013, Ahmad Zareen said, Shahzada Iftikhar was elected as MNA and managed to secure Rs 1.12 billion for the project, vowing to complete the unfinished work of his father. However, the project could not resume due to a tussle between the federal government and the then PTI-led KP government.
The situation turned tense in 2023 when provincial authorities released Rs 100 million to the contractor without justification, even though no metalling work had been carried out on the road since 2013. That move prompted the people of Torkhow to launch a peaceful movement for their right to the road.
They reorganized under TTRF and began a collective struggle, facing arrests and even terrorism charges – yet they refused to bow to pressure. Leaders like Waqas Ahmad Advocate, Umair Khalil and many others remained steadfast, ultimately compelling the government to allocate funds and complete the Booni-Buzund Road up to Rayen.
Salute to the people of Torkhow for their peaceful and united struggle.
Just as the great Roshan Ali Khan and Muhammad Essa made history defending Chitral against foreign aggression, the youth of Torkhow have secured a moral victory over red tape, achieving through peaceful resistance the long-denied right to a road.

Related:

Torkhow Residents Warn of Protests Over Stalled Road Project.