PESHAWAR: Residents of Kalash valley of Chitral district on Friday held a protest demonstration against the forest department for creating hurdles to installation of cellular phone towers in the area, and urged the government to allow the private companies to provide phone services in the remote areas.

The protesters led by local elders, including Shah Hussain, Abdul Qudoos and Sarfraz Shah, had gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club, holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands.

Talking to media persons, the protesters said the Kalash valley was located at one end of the district where the residents were being f aced with multiple problems due to poor communication infrastructure.

Shah Hussain said that various cellular companies had tried to install towers to provide mobile phone services to the people, but the forest department did not issue them NOC for unknown reasons.

He said at a time when entire world had become a global village due to fast communication and modern technology the people of Chitral were not allowed to get the mobile phone f acility.

Besides, he said that a road had been washed away during the floods but the government f ailed to reconstruct it. `A single track has been restored after frequent requests by the people,` he said.

Mr Hussain said Kalash was a lush green scenic valley and had great significance for tourism if relevant departments paid attention.

He demanded of the provincial government to take notice of the problems being faced by the people.