CHITRAL: The district polio eradication committee (DPEC) on Tuesday reviewed arrangements for the national immunisation days commencing from April 15 to achieve 100 per cent target.

Lower Chitral deputy commissioner Mohsin Iqbal chaired the DPEC meeting.

District police officer Iftikhar Shah, district health officer Dr Shamim, district surveillance officer of WHO Dr Assad, assistant commissioner Aftab Munir, district Khateeb Maulana Fazle Maula as well as officers of different departments were in attendance.

Expanded Programme on Immunisation coordinator Dr Farman Nizar briefed the meeting about the arrangements of the forthcoming campaign. He said shortage of doctors to act as monitoring officers, inaccessibility of the rough terrains of Ashrait and Arandu and excessive work load in certain areas were the major impediments, which needed to be removed.

DC Mohsin Iqbal asked the health department to include the revenue staff, including the patwaris, in the supervision job during the immunisation campaign by imparting them proper training.

Meanwhile, the social welfare department distributed cheques to the persons with disabilities under the Chief Minister’s Awami Agenda on Tuesday.

A ceremony to this effect was held in the local office of the department.

MPA from Lower Chitral and Mehtar of Chitral Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir and DC Mohsin Iqbal gave away the cheques to the PWDs coming from different villages of the district.

Social welfare officer Khizar Hayat Khan briefed the gathering about the measures being taken for welfare of PWDs.

KALASH CULTURE: A former member of the district council on minority seat and presently Kalash Qazi (judge) has expressed his deep anguish and resentment over the reported attempts to end or change the rituals performed over a death in Kalash culture, terming it ruinous for the primitive people having a unique way of life known the world over.

Addressing a press conference here, Bahram Shah said that a Kalash leader, Mangal Khan, along with some accomplices, had started a tacit campaign to undo the rich rituals of Kalash people, including those performed on funerals. He said the death ritual was a cornerstone of the Kalash culture and religion and the people could not even think of stripping their religion of this major component.

Shah said that the news of the campaign had created unrest and chaos among the Kalash community, which cherished each and every trait of their culture and civilisation. He feared that such attempts would lead to evaporation of unity from their rank and file for which Kalash people were hitherto known.

Mr Shah explained that the Kalash people had a strong viewpoint and faith about death, believing this world was a place of trials and tribulations, while the life hereafter was full of joy and free of sorrows. “Death means transition into a gleeful life.”

Mr Shah demanded of the government to take notice of the development. “The elder should be asked as where the financial assistance has gone that he got from different organisations in the name of Kalash people.”

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025