CHITRAL: Leaders of Dir-Chitral Action Forum have strongly opposed establishment of the headquarters of the newly proposed administrative division, comprising Dir, Chitral, and Bajaur districts, in Timargara.
They argued that due to the construction of the Chakdara to Rabat highway, Timargara will effectively be bypassed, making it an impractical and problematic choice for a permanent headquarters. They instead advocated for selecting Upper Dir as the more suitable and central location.
Speaking at District Bar Association in Lower Chitral on Monday, forum leaders highlighted that on the past too attempts were made to designate Timargara as the division\’s center, and those efforts have resumed following the chief minister’s recent announcement regarding the formation of the new division.
In response, people of Chitral and Upper Dir have united to voice their concerns and present a collective demand to the government.
The speakers emphasized that the region should not suffer the same issues that arose from having Saidu Sharif as the headquarters of the Malakand Division, which has historically caused significant inconvenience for the people of Chitral.
They also expressed serious concern over plans to establish a divisional bench of the Peshawar High Court in Timargara, stating that this move would further burden the already underserved populations of Chitral and Upper Dir.
Key speakers at the event included Dir-Chitral Action Forum Chairman Abdullah, Advocate Abdul Wali Khan, Mominur Rahman (President of District Bar Association), Amir Gulab Khan, Qari Jamal Abdul Nasir, Zaheeruddin, Sharif Hussain, and Wajihuddin.
The forum leaders announced that they will continue their advocacy and will address the District Bar Upper Chitral in Booni on Tuesday.