Basharat Hussain
Recently, two road accidents in Gohkir and Charun caused loss of human lives. The story of road accidents in Chitral is long owing to its pathetic road conditions. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and a peaceful social environment, Chitral nevertheless tells a painful story of official apathy and negligence.
It seems both the federal and provincial governments have been virtually nonexistent. No other region in Pakistan can match Chitral’s unique combination of natural beauty and cultural diversity. The stunning Kalash Valley, Garam Chashma, and the scenic Mastuj Valley together make Chitral a true paradise on earth. The Kalash Valley, with its vibrant culture, ancient traditions, and colorful festivals, is a major tourist attraction. Chitral town itself, divided by the River Chitral, boasts a historic fort, polo grounds, the old bazaar, traditional cuisine, and Markhor Point. Garam Chashma’s hot springs and Upper Chitral’s distinctive Khow culture further enhance the district’s charm.
Yet this paradise remains largely hidden from tourists due to abysmal road infrastructure. The flow of tourists to Chitral is alarmingly low, not because of a lack of attractions, but because of the sheer difficulty and danger of reaching them. Unfortunately, across the entire Chitral valley, one can hardly find even a single kilometer of a standard road. Nearly 80 percent of the roads are merely jeepable tracks. Despite this grim reality, no authority appears willing to take responsibility. One wonders why both federal and provincial governments consistently ignore Chitral and show minimal interest in its development.
The height of federal government’s irresponsibility can be seen in the Lowari Tunnel project, the lifeline connecting Chitral with the rest of the country. Initiated in 2004, more than twenty-two years ago, the project remains incomplete. Even in 2026, the Lowari Tunnel is not fully operationalized. Vehicles are forced to wait in long queues for permission to pass, and internal finishing work is still pending. When this tunnel will be fully completed and made operational is the question lingering in every Chitrali’s mind.
Compounding the problem, the road immediately after the tunnel is steep and dangerously aligned, particularly hazardous during winter snowfall. This risky descent could have been avoided with better planning and alignment. However, true to the proverb “better late than never,” the current federal government has finally initiated work on the unfinished northern approach road.
The Lowari–Chitral road itself is in a pathetic condition. The situation is no better for the Chitral–Shandur road project, which is currently under construction but progressing at a snail’s pace due to funding shortages and poor-quality work. Despite frequent visits by the Prime Minister’s inspection team, the project has yielded little tangible progress. At this rate, its completion appears far off.
The provincial government’s negligence is equally evident. In almost every era, Chitral seems to have been ignored by the provincial authorities. Nearly all roads under provincial jurisdiction are in deplorable condition. The Booni–Buzund road in Upper Chitral is a glaring example of corruption and mismanagement. Despite loss of billions of rupees, the 28-kilometer road is incomplete. Protesters demanding completion were booked even placed under Schedule Four of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Most major roads in Upper Chitral leading to hilly areas are nothing more than narrow, zigzag jeep tracks with sharp bends. As the famous saying goes, a vehicle must have “lizard feet” to safely descend such slopes. Roads such as Bumburat, Rumbur, Lotkoh, Parsan, Chitral–Golen, Lot Oveer, Gohkir, and Charun Oveer are lifelines for both Upper and Lower Chitral, yet all remain in miserable condition.
Chitral has immense potential to be transformed into a major tourist hub, capable of generating income and employment for thousands of young people. This, however, requires both federal and provincial governments to fulfill their responsibilities by allocating sufficient funds to road projects, ensuring transparent utilization, and enforcing strict monitoring and inspection mechanisms. Both governments must urgently revisit their policies.
A comparison of road projects in Chitral with those in other districts of Pakistan clearly reveals how Chitral has grossly been neglected. This policy of neglect must end now. Local leadership of ruling political parties in Islamabad and Peshawar must raise these issues forcefully and ensure timely completion of development projects. The people of Chitral have already endured enough; their patience has reached a tipping point. Thousands of people suffer daily due to dusty, dangerous, and life-threatening roads conditions. The state must respond to this suffering immediately, without any further delay. Federal government must ensure the finishing work in Lowari project and ensure its fully operationalization.
Chitral-Shandur road need timely release of funds and vigilant monitoring. The current NHA representatives seems to in hyperrational mood as the project is very slow and quality of work is extremely low. NHA must check quality of work and its timely completion. The newly tendered Kalkatak-Chitral portion of N-45 must be given to any internationally reputed construction party for quality work and timely completion. Provincial government must wake up from its slumber too. The C & W department need to enhance its credibility by timely completion of the ongoing project. The Booni-Buzund Road funding must be investigated to fix responsibility for over payment and undue delay.
There is a desperate need for monitoring mechanism in C & W department on the pattern of education department where school monitoring has substantially improved quality in schools. The local leadership, MNA, and MPAs must also involve themselves in project monitoring. They are currently not playing active role on the current road projects.
(The writer, Basharat Hussain, teaches Political Science at University of Chitral).
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