DROSH, Nov 2, Nov 2: Residents and community elders of Union Council Arandu voiced strong concerns over the deteriorating state of infrastructure and insufficient public services during a meeting with government officials in Drosh.
The gathering was chaired by Assistant Commissioner (AC) Drosh Dr. Muhammad Ali at his office. The meeting was convened under the special directives of the Deputy Commissioner Lower Chitral to review community grievances, identify development priorities, and strengthen coordination among line departments.
Officials from several government departments , including Police, TMA, Public Health Engineering, Health, Education, Forests, PTCL, and Communication & Works (C&W), participated in the session and provided detailed briefings on their ongoing projects, key challenges, and future strategies.
During the discussion, local elders and public representatives outlined a range of pressing issues affecting daily life in the region. They lamented the poor condition of roads, which has made transportation difficult and restricted access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
The shortage of clean drinking water was described as an acute problem, forcing many households to rely on unsafe and distant sources.
Participants also highlighted the frequent power outages and weak telecommunication services that continue to disrupt household routines, education, and small businesses. Moreover, they stressed the urgent need for improvement in health and education services, particularly in remote areas where the absence of teachers and medical staff remains a persistent issue.
Concerns were also raised over deforestation and insufficient forest protection measures, which pose serious environmental and livelihood risks to the local population.
The community members urged the administration to accelerate ongoing development schemes, ensure regular maintenance of essential infrastructure, and enhance interdepartmental coordination to provide timely relief and sustainable solutions to public problems.
Responding to the concerns, AC Dr Ali reaffirmed the district administration’s commitment to addressing public grievances as a top priority. He made it clear that negligence or delay in service delivery would not be tolerated, directing all departmental heads to meet their targets within the prescribed timelines.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding between the administration and local representatives to strengthen communication and collaboration. Both sides agreed that the district’s development agenda must reflect the genuine needs and aspirations of the people of Drosh and Arandu, ensuring that governance remains participatory, accountable, and people-centered.
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