Shangla is land of natural beauty, long green trees, high mountains, sweet springs, thick forest and streams, was earlier sub-division of Swat District. In 1995 after long movement and endeavors of its people the then Chief Minister of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao upgraded it to the status of a District. According census of 1998 its population was 434563 which are 2.5% of the total population of the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, while its current population is 541000.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Pukhtoon Qaumi Jirga United Kingdom
A meeting of Pukhtoon community belong to Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa and Afghanistan was held in Luton United Kingdom. The meeting was presided over by Abdullah Khan. Large numbers of Pukhtoon attended the meeting. The meeting was started with recitation of verses of the Quran; Samaj Ahmad recited verses of the Holy Quran. In the meeting all the participants introduced themselves to each others. Zahid Hussain Mohmand presented agenda of the meeting. He stated that now- a- days a large Pukhtoon community live in United Kingdom, who is confronted with many problems. He stressed upon the community that it needs to be united and organized for welfare, progress and prosperity of the community. He stated that Pukhtoon community wants to keep close cooperation with each other.
Those who spoke at the occasion were Zahid Hussain Mohmand, Abdullah Khan, Mohammad Azhar, Qasim, Saeed Hussain, Mahboob Khan, Fayaz Ahmed Mohmand, Yousaf Khan, Amir Khan, Sultan Rome, Mahboob Shah, Fazal Rahim and Karmal Khan.The speakers said that the pukhtoons has its own culture, custom and history. Pukhtoon needs to keep preserve their identity and culture.
It was decided in the meeting that beyond their political affiliation, all Pukhtoons living in UK should be organised and united at one platform. In the meeting, a committee was founded. The meeting unanimously nominated Committee of five members’ i.e. Abdullah Khan Battagram, Mohammed Azhar Peshawar, Qasim Afghanistan, Saeed Ahmad Malakend Agency and Sultan Rome Advocate Shangla. The participants of the meeting authorised the Committee to frame basic draft of the Constitution for the organization that how its functions will be carried out. The Committe was also authorized to conduct meetings with Pukhtoons living in UK and collect their data.
The participants of the meeting expressed their assurance to the committee that they will extend their full cooperation for welfare of the Pukhtoon.
At the end of the meeting Abdullah khan in his address thanked the participants of the meeting.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Shangla a “valley of sorrows” is in grip of natural disasters (Earthquake, Floods, Rains) and terrorism
Shangla a “valley of sorrows” is in grip of natural disasters (Earthquake, Floods, Rains) and terrorism
The spell of heavy rains and floods beginning in the month of July 2010, affected approximately 2 million people in Pakistan. It caused death of thousands of people and many more were injured across the country. Hundreds of dwelling houses, shops, roads, bridges and other infrastructures were completely washed away by floods. This is the biggest natural disaster of history in Pakistan.
Shangla is an unfortunate valley which also severely affected in recent natural disaster. In fact natural resources and beauty is bestowed by God to Shangla valley. Due to its scenic beauty, ever greenery and fragrant air it is piece of paradise on earth. Shangla upgraded to status of district on July 10, 1995 by the then chief minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao. On one hand Shangla valley is gifted with natural beauty while on the other hand, Shangla is a backward and tribal society where majority of the people live below the poverty line and are illiterate. Its poverty and backwardness can be well estimated from the fact that Shangla district is on top in ratio of poverty in Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa province and on 2nd across the Pakistan.
Due to negligence of government and its elected representatives Shangla lag behind in the run of development. Similarly, the natural disasters and calamities had made this valley miserable.
Since long Shangla is confronted with natural disasters and terrorist activities. Shangla has been affected in 1974 by destructive earthquake and in 2004 by the severe snowfall, mud sliding and fall of avalanches. In October 8, 2005 a powerful and devastating earthquake struck the Shangla caused major destruction and take of lives of thousands peoples. The affects of which still existed in the memories/minds of the people. They have not reconstructed their damaged houses yet. Similarly the valley remained in grip of terrorist activities since 2007. Fear and fright prevailed among the people due to terrorism. Activities and businesses of the people remained suspended due to continuous curfew. Thousands of people had to leave their homes and compelled to leave as IDPs. The current natural disaster and spell of torrential rains and floods hit this valley severely once again. Shangla which was already deprived of basic needs and rights of life, the current devastating damages pushed it back, almost a 100 years. Keeping in view all these calamities Shangla may be named a “valley of sorrows”.
In Shangla 168 people lost their lives and hundreds of people suffered from injuries as a result of such natural disaster. The torrential rains and flash floods destroyed about 110 communication bridges including 9 main bridges and 5 suspension, 500 KM roads including 150 KM main roads and 350 KM link roads, 139 hydro power stations including 4 major stations, 450 water mills, 3233 dwelling houses completely, 4514 dwelling houses partially, 4 Health units. Similarly 51 schools including 27 boy’s primary schools, 21 girls’ primary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 girl’s middle school, 9 high schools and 278 water supply schemes have been damaged. The floodwater and rain also damaged standing crops on 9603 acre area, 1200 acre agricultural land, 25 pedestrian streets, 89 water sources 25 water tanks, 1 oil pump, shops, vehicles, standing trees and timbers. The floods also washed away buffalos, 934 cows, 613 goats/sheeps and 840 animal shelters. In short the floods completely washed away all resources of income of people of Shangla.
The severely affected union councils in Shangla are Pirkhana, Damori, Shahpur, Koozkana, Ranial, Opal, Dheri, Pirabad and Butial. In Shangla major unpleasant incident occurred in village Olandar of Pirkhana Kana, where at least 60 people have been died in land sliding.
The damages of the current floods and rains are much more severe as compared to earthquake of 2005. In 2005 at least it was possible to find the dead body of the person died due to earthquake, while the dead bodies have been washed away by the recent floods.
In earthquake of 2005, houses were destroyed but the goods of the houses were present in the remains. The earthquake affected people had a place to sit on the remains or on the surroundings, while the floods have completely drained houses, it’s all goods and even place/plot it’s.
In current disaster if anyone has succeeded to save his life that is only in his dressing. He has ran away bare headed and bare footed.
After 2005 earthquake affected people were able to raise tents in fields surroundings of their destroyed houses, but now no field or area is left behind to fix tent to live in. Majority of affected people are laying deprived and helpless only on the mercy of God.
In earthquake of 2005, the roads and bridges were safe, while in recent turmoil neither road nor bridge remained safe. The peoples are confronted with trouble to get their livelihoods.
In earthquake of 2005, there was no damage to electric and telecommunication systems, while after current flash floods all these things do not exist.
Mostly maize crop is produced in Shangla and if anyone has maize in their homes, but no water mill is existed to tread the maize.
On one hand, this natural disaster has damaged the people’s lives, health and wealth; on the other hand it has also damaged them mentally.
The educational institutes affected first by terrorism in the region and now the current natural disaster have once again severely affected the academic activities. The children are really confronted with critical situation and need special measurements.
As Shangla was already in grip of natural disasters such as earthquake of 1974 and 2005, suicide attacks, militancy, military operations, curfews and displacement the current floods proved another severe blow.
The people of Shangla need special attention of government and nongovernmental organisations. In this regard media can play a key role to highlight these problems of people of Shangla.
At the time of such natural disaster, torrential rains and floods I was in UK to study my LLM course. After the calamity in month of August 2010, I visited Pakistan. I witnessed these damages and destructions by my own eyes and observed the whole situation. I’m myself travelled by feet many kilometres in the month of Ramadan. I also observed that peoples are really in very miserable situation.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Damages of Flood and Rain in Shangla
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Friday, July 30, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao at the occasion of fatiha of mother of Mutawakil Khan Advocate at Barkana Shahpur Shangla
Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao chief of PPP Sherpao and his son Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao at the occasion of fatiha of mother of Mutawakil Khan Advocate at Barkana Shahpur Shangla. Mutawakil Khan Advocate is close politicle companion of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao. Presently Mutawakil Khan Advocate is president of Shangla Bar Association. He elected twice on opposed president of Shangla Bar Association. Beside he is also chairman of Shangla Action committee. Shangla Action committee is an organization of all politicle parties and other social organizations.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Shangla leaders threaten protest
Shangla leaders threaten protest
Friday, June 18, 2010
By Our correspondent
SHANGLA: Leaders of various political parties on Thursday demanded of the government to provide electricity from Khankhor Hydro Power Project to the district free of cost.
The demand was made at a meeting of the all parties’ leaders headed by Action Committee district president Mutawakil Khan. The participants threatened to stage a sit-in outside the National Assembly and provincial assembly buildings if their demands were not met.
The meeting was also attended by Pakistan People’s Party division coordinator Dr Afsarul Mulk, Pakistan Muslim League-Q former district nazim Dr Ibad, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam former senator Maulana Rahat Hussain, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Fida Khan, Awami National Party district general secretary Ali Bahadar, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz Wiqar Ahmad and Ahmad Shah of PPP-Sherpao.
The participants of the meeting asked the government to provide 5 megawatts electricity from Khankhor Dam to the district free of cost. They also demanded of the Wapda chairman to set up model school in Bisham besides asking the National Highway Authority to reconstruct Bisham-Mingora Board-Alpuri Road.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Meeting of Shangla Action Committee, held in Bar Room Alpuri, presided over by Mutawakil Khan Advocate, All Politicle leaders & elders participated
Meeting of Shangla Action Committee, held in Bar Room Alpuri, presided over by Mutawakil Khan Advocate, All Politicle leaders & elders participated
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
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