Khairuddin Shadani
Chitral is not an ordinary constituency. Spread across vast mountainous terrain and comprising Upper and Lower Chitral, it is geographically challenging and strategically sensitive due to its border location. Yet in the National Assembly, it is represented by only one seat. When that single seat falls vacant, it creates not just a political gap but silences the voice of thousands of households.
The lone MNA, Abdul Latif, belonging to the opposition PTI has been disqualified in a terrorism case registered in Islamabad and jailed in Rawalpindi and the government has not yet held a by-election on the seat. As a result, Chitral is not represented in the National Assembly.
When Chitral’s National Assembly seat remains vacant, the district’s direct participation in key national decisions weakens. Federal budgets are presented, development projects are debated, and funds are allocated , but without an elected representative, local issues struggle to find a place on the national agenda. Damaged roads, flood-hit communities, hydropower projects, and remote valleys cannot speak for themselves; they require a voice in the assembly.
Chitral’s geography and climate add to the urgency. Heavy snowfall often blocks roads, landslides are frequent, and annual floods cause recurring damage. In such conditions, the absence of effective federal-level representation further complicates matters for residents. Holding a by-election is not a matter of delay — it is a necessity.
Questions are also being raised about why, when seats in other constituencies are filled within the stipulated time, delays occur in Chitral. The Constitution applies equally to all. Treating remote or border regions as less important runs counter to the principles of fairness and democratic equality.
Young people in Chitral already face challenges due to distance and limited resources, often feeling disconnected from the center. Continued absence of representation risks deepening that sense of exclusion. A timely by-election would help restore trust and send a message that the state does not overlook its far-flung regions.
This demand is not in favor of or against any political party. It is rooted in the principle that no constituency should remain without representation for an extended period. Democracy thrives when every seat is filled and every voice is heard.
Chitral’s strategic importance is well recognized.
Border management, tourism development, hydropower initiatives, and the impacts of climate change all require consistent advocacy at the federal level. Only an elected representative can effectively pursue these matters in Parliament.
The people of Chitral are not asking for special treatment. They are simply seeking what the Constitution guarantees — their elected representative. Conducting a by-election would reactivate Chitral’s presence in the national mainstream and ensure that its concerns are voiced in the corridors of power.
The people of Chitral do not wish to remain silent. They seek participation, representation, and the fulfillment of the democratic promise made to every citizen.
Related:
Latif’s Disqualification Opens Political Race for Chitral Seat.
PHC Dismisses Latif’s Petition, Directs Surrender To ATC.
all a game to make the kohistani man the representative of chitral. Hope people in chitral will not sell their honour for 5K PKR by voting for him.