CHITRAL, March 6: The government's initiative to waive off bank loans under the Malakand division relief package has benefited only the influential people and businessmen of Chitral district, who had obtained millions of rupees loans from different banks.

Talking to this correspondent here on Sunday, a number of small entrepreneurs said that in the wake of increasing militancy the federal government had announced to write off bank loans of the people of Chitral obtained before December 31, 2009.

Saifur Rahman and Nazir Shah of Chitral bazaar said that the package benefited only the big businessmen, as the small loan holders had returned the loans for fear of being declared defaulters following continued pressure from the banks.

They said that the package was aimed at boosting small enterprises in the area to encourage self-employment. They claimed that the bank managements spared those who had got hefty loans.

“Many of the small loan holders even sold their lands, fruit orchards and animals to clear loans when the bank authorities press them hard,” said a fruit vendor Rafiq Ali.

He said that the government should order reimbursement of payments made by the small loan holders during 2009. CONDEMNED:

Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali has condemned police baton charge of Chitral-bound passengers in Upper Dir.

He said that the passengers were peacefully protesting against the closure of Lowari Pass due to the negligence of National Highway Authority (NHA).

Talking to this correspondent on phone on Sunday, Mr Chitrali said that over 500 passengers were stranded in Upper Dir, as the NHA could not clear the road leading to the Lowari tunnel following a snow avalanche fell three days ago.

Mr Chitrali asked the provincial government for an apology to the people of Chitral for the baton charge of Chitralis and suspension of the NHA officials who failed to clear the road in three days.