CHITRAL: Elders of Mastuj, Yarkhoon and Baroghil valleys of Upper Chitral have demanded of the federal government to approve a road project for the integrated development of this marginalised region, which borders the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan. They argued the construction of the road would also serve the strategic needs of the country.

Speaking at a meeting held in Brep village of Yarkyhoon valley here on Sunday, leaders of Tehreeki-Mastuj-Broghil Road (TMBR) Sher Wali Khan Aseer, Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk, Syed Mukhtar Ali Shah, Siraj Ali Khan, Aziz Ahmed, Ahmed Mohammad Ali and others said that the 153-kilometre road from Mastuj to Broghil was basically a pony track of the British-era.

They regretted that in this developed age, the border area was without a road facility, which hampered all other sectors of development. They regretted that during the past 70 years since independence of the country, no significant road project had been undertaken by the government, while a major segment of the existing track was constructed by a non-government organisation.

They said that keeping in view the urgency of the matter, the local people had started a movement under the platform of TMBR.

They said they planned to bring the pathetic condition roadinto the notice ofthe rulers.

The TMBR leaders said that the vast area encompassing the sub-valleys could be transformed into a hub of tourism only if it was connected with a well-carpeted road.

They said Broghil valley housed more than 35 glaciers and was the origin of Chitral River and 35 bioactive lakes with rich biodiversity coupled with Wakhi culture, making it a paradise for tourists.

The elders said that the bumper produce of apple, pear and grapes of Yarkhoon and yaks of Broghil could not be transported to the market due to lack of a proper road.

The speakers said that the farm-to-market road was imperative for the amelioration of farmers, who could not afford chemical fertilizers, certified seeds and pesticides toboosttheiryields.

The elders claimed that over 50 per cent of women died while being shifted to hospitals in Booni town for complicated delivery cases due to bumpy tracks.