Karim Ullah | Chitral Today
MASTUJ, Sept 8, 2025 — The Tehreek-e-Mastuj Broghil Road organized a massive protest rally in Mastuj on Monday, where residents demanded the immediate construction of the Mastuj-Broghil Road — a route they described as the shortest and most strategic connection to Central Asian states through the Wakhan Corridor.
Residents from Laspur, Yarkhun, Mastuj and Parwak Sonoghur joined the protest in large numbers and raised their voices against what they described as the government’s ongoing neglect of this vital region.
Addressing the rally, President of the movement Mohammad Wazir Khan highlighted the road’s historic and strategic importance. He asserted that the Mastuj-Broghil Road offers the most direct route to China and Central Asia via the globally significant Wakhan Corridor. Despite this, he said, the government continues to ignore the region and its potential.
“This road can transform not only the lives of people living in Mastuj, Yarkhun and Broghil but also boost Pakistan’s trade and economic ties with Central Asia,” said Wazir Khan. “The government must stop ignoring this crucial region and take immediate steps to connect Pakistan with Central Asia through this gateway.”
He announced that in response to continuous government apathy and silence from elected representatives, the movement will lead a long march from Brep to Booni on September 16, 2025.
Shahzada Sirajul Mulk, Umair Khalil of the Torkhow-Terich Road Forum, Pir Mukhtar of Tehreek Tahafuz Chitral, Inayatullah Aseer from Chitral Development Movement and Mukhtar Lal also addressed the rally. They expressed full support for the cause and pledged to extend all possible cooperation to ensure that the government responds to public demands.
Tehsil Council Chairman of Mastuj Sardar Hakeem declared his full support for the movement. “As an elected representative, I stand with the people,” he said. “Demanding a proper road is not a favor — it’s a basic right.”
Speakers expressed deep disappointment over the provincial government’s failure to fulfill its commitments. They reminded the public that Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur had promised during his winter visit to begin work on the 26-kilometer stretch from Mastuj to Brep in the current year. However, the government failed to include the project in the budget, leaving the area’s residents disillusioned and frustrated.