CHITRAL, May 17: Although Chitral was a monarchy ruled by the Mehtar (king) but it had always been democratic, as the Mehtars made their decisions according to the will of the people. During the State era, decisions were made at the Mahraka (royal court) with consensus. Lord Curzon, viceroy of British India from 1897 to […]
By Zahiruddin CHITRAL, Feb 28: Members of the Kalash community have complained that the computerised national identity cards issued by the National Database Registration Authority to them have no mention of their religion and caste. These people live in Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur, three valleys in the south of Chitral, and are known for their
Dr Tariqullah Khan I have a lot of memories from my childhood that I spent in my ancestral village Moreder located deep inside the Chitral valley of the Hindukush ranges. I estimate these memories are for the period between 1962 and 1971; 1962 because that is the year I can trace back to my early
CHITRAL, Dec 13: The Mother Tongue Institute for Educational and Research (MIER) has published and brought into the market a Khowar calendar for the year 2013-14. MIER is an organization that has been working on language and culture documentation and the preservation and promotion of Khowar language, culture. It is also developing consensual writing and orthographical
By Siraj Ulmulk CHITRAL, Nov 23: There is a very sad story about what happened last week to Chitral’s most famous mosque, the Shahi Masjid, built by my grandfather in 1922 (the work had started in 1910). Every brick was transported from India when no roads were motor-able in Chitral. They were delicately placed, by
Restoration or destruction of Shahi Masjid Chitral? Read More »
CHITRAL, Oct 21: The Patient Welfare Society (PWS) Booni arranged a musical concert and culture show to collect funds for the needy and deserving patients. Speaking to the participants, President PWS Shah Nazir and General Secretary Mir Sawat said they had been working for the welfare of the poor and needy patients for many years.
By Tariq Iqbal Some events can come to define a life. Most often, these events are sudden, unexpected and irrevocable to change the framework of existence. However, it is not the event in itself that defines a life but the repercussion of it. This reality was too horrific and unbearable to face for my family
CHITRAL, May 14; On the occasion of the famous Kalash festival Chilim Jusht, the Kalash people of Rumbur got a new Jastakhan (dancing hall) with modern facilities suited to their needs. The speakers at the function held in connection with the inauguration of a Jastakhan constructed by Chitral Integrated Area Development Project (CIADP) funded by
When we talk about the communication facilities in the area, a 20-25 wide Kacha road up to Sholkoch was constructed in 1992-93. The upper part of the valley called Soyarkhun is still commuting through a deadly, narrow kacha road (that doesn’t even deserve to be called as a jeep able road). The above mentioned road
