By: Gul Hamad Farooqui.
CHITRAL: An excavator operator died while removing snow from the road in Arkari valley at lower Chitral. The deceased operator was the only source and breadwinner of the entire family including the elderly parents. The victim’s family has appealed to the government for financial support.
According to details, Amir son of Ghulam Shah, who was the operator of a private excavator, was going for work to remove snow from the road of Arkari. The deceased was a young boy who was the only supporter of his parents. Due to his death, the family has been deeply affected. Former Nazim Union Council Shughor Abdul Majeed told our correspondent on phone that on his request, MPA Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir had asked the Deputy Commissioner Lower Chitral to clear the snow from the road of Arkari so that people can travel easily. On the direction this private excavator machine was engaged for snow clearance from Arkari road. Meanwhile, the excavator machine suddenly overturned and Ameer fell under it and died on the spot.
Abdul Majeed says that Amir’s father Ghulam Shah, who is a sick man, has no one to buy medicine for him. He said that due to the recent torrential rains and heavy snowfall, Arkari valley was badly affected and all the roads leading there were closed. Women, children, old people and students are facing a lot of difficulties in going to school, college or people going to hospital. He said that due to the closure of roads in this valley, food shortages have also occurred and the people there have been badly affected and are waiting for government assistance. Abdul Majeed has appealed to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the district administration to provide financial assistance to the family of the late Amir and to open the road of Arkari as soon as possible and also deliver relief goods there so that people do not suffer from starvation. He said that due to the lack of health facilities including hospital in the valley, most of the patients try to come to Chitral Hospital, but due to the closure of the roads, these people are forced to travel by foot over the avalanches and snowdrifts, which is also very dangerous. He appeal for opening of roads of entire valley of Akari.
