CHITRAL: The residents of Ashrait village in Drosh tehsil have expressed concerns over delay in restoration of basic health unit (BHU) in the area, which used to serve as lone healthcare facility for a population of 13,000.

The building of BHU was demolished for construction of approach road of Lowari tunnel project 10 years ago by National Highway Authority (NHA) while its compensation was paid to health department as per land acquisition rules.

Ihsanullah, the senior vice president of Drosh chapter of Pakistan Peoples Party, told journalists here on Wednesday that the residents of the area were running from pillar to post for restoration of the health facility but to no avail.

He said that after receiving compensation money from NHA for its building, health department wasted a lot of time to acquire land for the hospital. He said that lack of interest by health officers deprived them of the most sough-after facility in that remote area.

He said that the hospital would be a distant dream for them as due to the high inflation rate, the price of land increased by more than 100 per cent in the area during the last 10 years and the government would not provide the heavy amount for them.

Dr FayazRumi, the district health officer, when contacted, said that the compensation amount was deposited in account maintained by district administration and lapsed after a year when remained unutilised.

PAPERS: Candidates have started filing nomination papers for three seats in the district, one of National Assembly and two seats of provincial assembly.

According to returning officer for NA-1 Chitral Upper-cum-Chitral Lower and PK-1 Chitral Upper, no candidate filed nomination on Thursday.

Returning officer for PK-2 Chitral Lower, Dr AtifJalib said that seven candidates filed nomination papers for the seat. They include former district nazim Maghfirat Shah and Abdul Haq of JI as well as Hina Rehman, Mohammad Sharif Khan and Syed Farid Ahmed Jan of PTI.

Luke Rehmat from Bumburate valley also filed nomination paper for the provincial assembly.

He will be the first Kalash to contest for general seat of provincial assembly.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2023