CHITRAL: The elders of Kalash community belonging to all the three valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur have demanded of the government not to transfer Chitral Deputy Commissioner Osama Ahmed Warraich out of the district as he had won over their hearts.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, lady councillor Laghli Gul, Iran Bibi, Jam Shahi, Sarawat Shah, Attai Khan, Shah Hussain and others said the news that the district nazim was making attempts to have Mr Warraich transferred from Chitral had sent shockwaves across the valleys as the incumbent DC had taken numerous steps for their amelioration during last one year of his posting to the district.

They said that as head of the district administration, he efficiently restored the communication infrastructures devastated by the flash noods last year, and personally supervised the rehabilitation work to reconnect the valleys with the other parts of the district.

They said the Kalash community had heaved a sigh of relief when the DC made them feel, for the first time, that the Kalash minority had rights equal to the Muslim community of the district and that they were in no way inferior to others.

His (DC`s) frequent visits to the valleys to acquaint himself of the problems of Kalash community and his prompt actions for their solutions, easy approach of Kalash community to his office coupled with development works initiated by him have made him a `hero` in the community, they said. Correspondent