رکن سندھ اسمبلی ملک شہزاد اعوان کی گرفتاری کا معاملہ ایس ائی او اتحاد ٹاؤن انوار شاہ پر رکن سندھ اسمبلی کا عدم اعتماد۔
کل شام ورکرز کو گرفتاری کی اطلاع ملی تو ورکر اور عوام بڑی تعداد میں میرے آفس آن پہنچے۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
عوام کی تعداد زیادہ ہونے کی وجہ سے میں نے تھانے جانے کا ارادہ ترک کیا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
عوام اور ورکر میں پولیس کے خلاف غم و غصہ زیادہ تھاز وہاں کچھ بھی ہوسکتا تھا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
میرے وہاں پہنچنے پر ورکرز کا پولیس کے ساتھ لڑائی جھگڑا ہوسکتا تھا جو نقصانات کا سبب بن سکتا تھا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
عوامی حجوم زیادہ ہونے کی وجہ سے لاء اینڈ آرڈر کی سورتہال خراب ہوسکتی تھی۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
جس میں تھانے کا اور میرا بھی نقصان ہوسکتا تھا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
ان نقصانات کو مدنظر رکھتے ہوئے اور پارٹی کے سینئر کارکنان، اپنی قانونی ماہرین کی ٹیم اور پولیس کے اعلیٰ افسران سے مشاورت کے بعد وہاں جانے کا ارادہ ترک کرنا پڑا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
لیکن تھانہ اتحاد ٹاؤن کی انوسٹیگیشن ٹیم حالات کو اور ماحول کو خراب کرنا چاہتے ہیں۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
تھانہ اتحاد ٹاؤن کی ٹیم تھانے میں ہنگامہ آرائی چاہتی ہے مجھے وہاں بلانے پر مجبور کر کہ۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
تھانہ اتحاد ٹاؤن والے خواہش رکھتے ہیں کہ ماحول خراب ہو جو میں ہونے نہیں دونگا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
مجھے متعدد نمبروں سے کال کر کہ ڈرانے دھمکانے کی ناکام کوشش کی جارہی ہے۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
تھانہ اتحاد ٹاؤن کے ایس آئی او اے ایس آئی اشفاق چوہدری چیٹر اور کرپٹ آدمی ہہیں انہیں مجھ سے ذاتی حیثیت پر اختلاف ہے۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
کیونکہ میں انوار شاہ کی رشوت خوری کی تحریری شکایت آئی جی صاحب کو کربلا ہوں اور انوار شاہ کے تبادلہ کا اظہار بھی کر چکا ہوں۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
میں نے ان کی بھتہ خوری بند کی جس کی وجہ سے یہ اپنی رنجش نکالنا چاہتے ہے۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
میری افسران اعلیٰ سے درخواست ہے کسی ایماندار افسر کو تفتیش دی جائے میں اپنا بیان ریکارڈ کرانے کو تیار ہوں۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
کرپٹ پولیس والوں کے خلاف میری جنگ جاری رہے گی، بلدیہ ٹاؤن کے کرپٹ عناصر کا خاتما کرونگا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
کسی بھی پولیس اہلکار کو بلدیہ ٹاؤن میں منشیات فروشی،قبضہ اور رشوت خوری نہیں کرنے دونگا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
پہلے بھی میرا یہی میرا موقف ہے اور ہمیشہ یہی موقف رہے گا۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
میں اس طرح کے ہتھکنڈوں سے ڈرنے والا نہیں ان کے یہ ہتھکنڈے میرے جذبے کو پروان چڑھاتے ہیں۔ ملک شہزاد اعوان
کراچی کے ورٹیکل فارم میں ہائیڈروپونک ٹیکنالوجی سے سبزیاں کاشت کی جا رہی ہے۔
سائنس سب کچھ تبدیل کررہی ہے اور اب ایسی ایجادات ہورہی ہیں کہ جس سے خشک سالی کے خطرات ختم ہوجائیں گے۔کراچی کے سہیل احمد نے ریسرچ اور بین الاقوامی ماہرین کی مدد سے مٹی اور کھاد کے بغیر جدید ورٹیکل فارم بنایا ہے جہاں ہائیڈرو پونک ٹیکنالوجی سے سبزیاں کاشت کی جارہی ہیں۔
ہائیڈروپونک ٹیکنالوجی حفظان صحت کے عین مطابق اور اعلیٰ معیار کی سبزیاں اور پھل حاصل کرنے کا بہترین ذریعہ ہے ،کنٹرولڈ انوائرومنٹ میں ایک جگہ پر کئی منزلوں پر فصل کاشت کرنے کو ورٹیکل فارم کہا جاتا ہے۔
روایتی طریقے کے برعکس ان فصلوں پرکیڑے مار ادویات کے اسپرے کی ضرورت نہیں پڑتی ،اس لیے یہ سبزیاں صحت مند اور ذائقے میں مزیدار ہوتی ہیں۔خاص قسم کی ایل ای اڈی لائٹس فصلوں کی پیداوار میں معاون ثابت ہوتی ہیں۔ موسم کی دشواری کے بغیر ہائیڈرو پونک ٹیکنالوجی سے پورے سال ضرورت کی سبزیاں حاصل کی جاسکتی ہے۔
یہ سبزیاں زیادہ تر سلاد میں استعمال کی جاتی ہیں۔کم رقبے پر سبزیوں کی زیادہ سے زیادہ پیداوار کو ہائیڈرو پونک ٹیکنالوجی کے ذریعے فروغ دے کرغذائی قلت جیسے اہم مسئلے کو حل کرنے میں مدد مل سکتی ہے۔
سہیل احمد کا کہنا ہے کہ ہم اپنے فارم کے درجہ حرارت کو اس طرح ترتیب دیتے ہے کہ اگر باہر کادرجہ حرارت 41 ڈگری سینٹی گریڈ ہو تو پھر بھی ہمارے اس ورٹیکل فارم میں ضرورت کے مطابق درجہ حرارت مل رہی ہوگی۔ گرمی ہو یا سردی ہمارے پاس ہر وقت فصل تیار ہوتی ہے۔
سہیل احمد کا کہنا ہے کراچی میں 2 کروڑ کی آبادی ہے جہا ں بڑی تعداد میں ریسٹورینٹ ہیں۔ اور آج کل لوگوں میں آگاہی بھی بہت زیادہ ہوگئی ہے۔ شہر میں جیم وغیرہ بھی زیادہ کھل رہے ہے، آج کا نوجوان اپنے صحت کے حوالے سے بہت زیادہ حساس ہیں،
ان کا کہنا تھا کہ جس طرح دیگر ممالک میں ہائیڈرو پونک ٹیکنالوجی سے سبزیاں کاشت کی جارہی ہیں میرے بھی زہین میں آیا کہ کیوں ن میں بھی ایک فارم تیار کروں جس میں کیمیکل سے پاک سبزیاں ہو نی چاہیے،اس کے لئے میں نے محنت اور لگن کے ساتھ ایک فارم تیا ر کیا ہے ،
ان کا کہنا تھا کہ باہر سے جو فصل آرہی ہے اس میں کسی چیز کا خیال نہیں رکھا جاتا ہے۔ ملا وٹ سے بھر پو ر سبزیاں مارکیٹ میں دستیاب ہوتی ہے۔ میں نے اپنے فارم میں ہر چیز کا خیال رکھا ہیں۔ اورفصل کو ضرورت کے مطابق لیبارٹری میں ٹیسٹ کیا جاتا ہے ہم ایک گھنٹے میں سپر مارکیٹ یا ر یسٹو رینٹ کوان کے ڈیمانڈ کے مطابق سپلائی دے سکتے ہیں اور کراچی میں موجود بہت سارے ریسٹورنٹس اور سپرمارکیٹ ہمارے کسٹمرز ہے ہم ان کسٹمرز کو ان کے آڈر کے مطابق ایک سے دو گھنٹے میں فصل کو تراش کر ان تک پہنچا دیتے ہے۔
انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ ہم اپنے فارم کے ذریعے لوگوں تک صاف ستھری سبزیاں پہچانا چاہتے ہیں۔ہمارے بنا ئے گئے فارم میں پانی کی ضرورت انتہائی کم ہوتی ہے ہمارا پورا فارم ری سائیکل ہوتا ہے جو پودا کی ضرور ت ہوتی ہے اتنا ہی پانی ہم اس پو دے کو فراہم کر تے ہیں۔
ان کا کہنا تھا کہ خاص قسم کی ایل ای ڈی لائٹس فصلوں کی نشوونما میں معاون ثابت ہوتی ہے ،اور ہر پودے کو مختلف روشنی کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے یہ روشنی بھی سورج کی روشنی کا نعم البدل ہے۔ فرق صرف یہ ہے کہ سورج کی روشنی انسانوں ،جانوروں اور ہر قسم کے پودے کے لیے ہوتی ہے اور اس کی روشنی سے تمام مخلوق کو فائدہ پہنچتا ہے۔
فارم میں فصلوں کے حوالے سے دنیا میں جوریسرچ ہوئی ہے ،اس قسم کے جو پودے ہو تے ہے ان کو لال، بلو اور سفید رنگ کی روشنی کی ضرورت ہو تی ہے۔ ان کا کہنا تھا کہ سردی ہو یا گرمی موسم جیسا بھی ہو ہائیڈرپونک ٹیکنالوجی سے پورے سال ضرورت کے مطابق سبزیاں حاصل کی جا سکتی ہے۔ ہما رے فارم وہ سبزیاں ہیں جو پاکستان میں سردیوں میں تو آتی ہے لیکن گرمیوں میں غائب ہو جاتی ہے گرمیوں میں اگر ان سبزیوں کو خرید نا ہو تو اسلام آباد کے پاس نتھیا گلی ، ناران، کاغان یا دیگر شہروں سے منگوائے تو آپ کے اخراجات بہت زیادہ ہو جائیگا اور یہ فصل امپورٹ بھی ہوتی ہے اور اس کی ہمیشہ ڈیمانڈ رہتی ہے۔
ان کا کہنا تھا کہ کم رقبے پر سبزیوں کی زیادہ سے زیادہ پیداوار ہائیڈروپونک ٹیکنالوجی کو فروغ دے کر غذائی قلت جیسے اہم مسئلے کو حل کرنے میں مدد مل سکتی ہے اورزراعت کے شعبے میں ہائیڈروپونک ٹیکنالوجی انقلاب سے کم نہیں ہے ، میرے ورٹیکل فارم میں غیر روایتی طریقوں سے جدید انداز میں سبزیاں کاشت کی جا رہی ہے۔
پانی کے عالمی دن پر الخدمت کے پلا نٹ آپر یٹر کے لئے تر بیتی ورکشاپ کا انعقاد
پانی کے عالمی دن کی مناسبت سے الخدمت کے تحت شہرمیں قائم 41واٹر فلٹریشن پلانٹس کے آپریٹر ز کیلئے سالانہ تر بیتی ورکشاپ کا اہتمام کیا گیا ۔ورکشاپ کے مہمان خصوصی ایگزیکٹو ڈائریکٹر الخدمت راشد قریشی تھے ۔
اس موقع ڈائریکٹرکلین واٹر قاضی سید صدرالدین اور دیگرذمہ داران موجود تھے ۔ منیجر کلین واٹر پروجیکٹ مصعب بن عبدالقاد نے پلانٹس کے تکنیکی مسائل اوران کے فوری حل سے متعلق تفصیلی طور پر آگہی فراہم کی تاکہ پلانٹ آپریٹر کسی مشکل صورت حال میں پریشانی کے بغیر پلانٹ میں آنے والی فنی خرابی کو دور کرسکیں ۔
تقریب میں سعد اکبر نے کسٹمر کیئر سے متعلق گفتگو کی جس میں انہوں نے پلانٹس پر پانی کے حصول کے لیے آنے والے افراد کی رہنما ئی اوران سے حسن سلوک سے پیش آنے سے متعلق آگہی فراہم کی ۔
راشد قریشی نے کہا شہر میں الخدمت کے 41 پلانٹس کام کر رہے ہیں جبکہ رواں برس 8پلانٹس لگانے کا ارادہ رکھتی ہے ،الخدمت کے پلانٹس سے یومیہ ہزاروں افراد استفادہ کررہے ہیں ،
انہوں نے کہا کہ پلانٹس آپریٹرحسن اخلاق کا عملی نمو نہ پیش کریں اورلوگوں کی خدمت کو اپنا شعار بنائیں ۔ورکشاپ سے خطاب میں قاضی سید صدرالدین نے کہا کہ پلانٹس آپریٹر اپنی ذمہ داریوں کا احساس کریں اورانہیں احسن طریقے سے انجام دیں ۔
پلانٹس کا خیال رکھیں ،صحت وصفائی اور معیار کو اپنا نصب العین بنائیں ۔اس موقع پر سال بھر میں بہترین کارکردگی کے حامل پلانٹ آپریٹرز صلاح الدین عابد ،توحید احمد کو نقد جبکہ سپروائزرزمحمد ساجد ،اسامہ ابراہیم اورلئیق احمد کو ایوارڈز دیئے گئے۔
Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), a defunct inter-regional railway, is an intended revival of an inter-regional public transit network in the city of Karachi with objectives to link multiple industrial and commercial districts within the Karachi to the outlying suburbs. KCR will principally serve the Metropolitan Karachi Area conurbation, with operations expanding to various other communities. Pakistan’s 1stsuch public system, Karachi Circular Railway started regular passenger service in the year of 1969 but was shutdown in the year of 1999 because of gross mismanagement. In the month of August 2012, JICA agreed to a $2.5 billion loan to the city of Karachi Urban Transport Corporation, which will oversee the rebuilding procedure. The policies call for upgrades and rebuilding of the 50 km long intra-city circular line which will operate twenty-four trains serving the 700,000 commuters, making three minute stops at twenty-three stations.
History
Karachi Circular Railway started operation in the year of 1969 through Pakistan Railways with the goals of offering better transportation facilities to the city of Karachi and the nearby suburbs. The original Karachi Circular Railway line expanded from Drigh Road Station and ended at Karachi City Station carrying six million passengers yearly. The Karachi Circular Railway was in immediate success and made a key profit in its 1st year of operation. During the time period of 1970s and 1980s the KCR was at its peak with 104 routine trains, of which eighty trains ran on the primary track while the left over 24 ran on the loop line. During the time period of 1990s, the private transporters of Karachi contracted Karachi Circular Railway staff who became indulged in corruption. By the year of 1994 the Karachi Circular Railway was in incurring huge losses and as an outcome the vast majority of trains were discontinued with just a few running on the Loop. In the year of Karachi Circular Railway operations were discontinued. The outcome was immediate gridlock on Karachi streets. In the year of 2005, revival policies for the railway were started to fulfill the growing transportation requirements of Karachi city. The City District Government Karachi was already making policies for a revival of a combined “Karachi Metro”.
Route
The Karachi Circular Railway will contain a loop line from Karachi City to the area of Drigh Road through Liaquatabad. 29 kilometers will be revived with an extra 21 kilometer dual track from the city of Karachi to Jinnah International Airport, permitting the KCR to link to the Pakistan Railway main line. The KCR is hoped to hold carry on average of 700,000 passengers on 246 trains regularly when completed.
Doors and windows have been polished and restored to their original colour | Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
It is not much different from saving a life. There is the flat-lining patient surrounded by doctors trying everything within their power to resuscitate him, to get him to breathe again. That is what the Endowment Trust (EFT) does for the architectural heritage of Sindh.
The EFT sees saving and conserving one’s heritage as a matter life and death. It is about protecting the cultural identity of a city and creating awareness among people about old structures in order to discourage demolition and additions to heritage buildings. According to the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act passed by the provincial assembly in 1994, there were about 600 buildings declared as heritage monuments here initially, following which 400 more were added to the list in the next 20 or so years.
The Karachi Press Club (KPC) situated in Saddar, has a much celebrated history, not only as a vibrant meeting place for journalists, literateurs and intellectuals, but also as a beacon of resistance and free speech during dark times. Even while the media has been under threat from official and non-official forces — as it is now — journalists have jealously guarded the KPC as their own ‘Hyde Park’. It was founded in 1958 but its building, a city landmark, is much older than that. Built sometime in 1890, it is almost 130 years old and has seen much wear and tear over the years.
How the landmark building with a rich history and legacy was saved from ruin
To save the ceiling of the upper floor from caving in earlier, a senior member of the club and former editor of Dawn newspaper Saleem Asmi had stepped in to help replace the wooden roof with a concrete one. But this was still not enough. It was in 2012 when Sassui Palijo, the then minister for culture, visited the KPC and, after being shown around, said that she wanted to see it restored. Reportedly, the government of Sindh set aside funding for the purpose though it never reached the KPC.
The KPC after restoration | Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
By 2013, the then KPC secretary Amir Latif raised alarm regarding the condition of the entire structure. With termite infestations in the doors, windows and their frames, stones in the walls pockmarked and foundations getting weaker by the day due to the rise in the level of the saline water table underneath, he declared that it was almost in ruins.
The refurbished main hall with reupholstered sofas | Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
That was when the heritage conservationist EFT’s Hamid Akhund approached the KPC and offered to help. The restoration work was a labour of love and thus it took time. Starting in 2014 after conducting a thorough survey and research, it is now almost complete. The building, with still a few finishing touches remaining, was handed back to the representatives of the KPC only last month.
The staircase and tiled floor regained their look | Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
It wasn’t just replacing a brick, stone or tile with a new one. Since Mr Akhund had appointed his chief engineer, the perfectionist Mohanlal Ochani, to supervise the work, everything had to be done with well, perfection, and with passion too.
Stones were brought in from Jhimpir to match the original brick walls | Aziz Soomro / EFT
If a stone in the wall or a floor tile needed replacing, it had to be replaced with an equal strength and aged piece. They were able to find the same quality stone from Jhimpir. “It is a heritage building, therefore any replacements made also had to be as old and precious,” says Ochani.
The Karachi Press Club before restoration | Aziz Soomro / Endowment Fund Trust
The wooden doors and windows in the building were white and, as far as any member can remember, they had always been white. But when they started to clean up the wood and termite infestations, it was found out that the wood was of the finest quality. It was all Burma teak. Therefore, for its new look, KPC has all this beautiful wood polished to show off its original colour.
The KPC restoration underway | Aziz Soomro / EFT
The restoration didn’t just comprise work on the building structure; the club also housed some valuable art in the shape of old paintings and calligraphy that were now dusty with some fungus settling in them, too. EFT’s Khalid Soomro and his team at the Mohatta Palace Museum helped restore those. They also gave them wooden frames.
With termite infestations in the doors, windows and their frames, stones in the walls pockmarked and foundations getting weaker by the day due to the rise in the level of the saline water table underneath, Amir Latif the them KPC secretary declared that it was almost in ruins.
Going the extra mile, the EFT even restored the old furniture. The indigo colour used in the calligraphic works hanging in the main hall became the inspiration for the new upholstery for most of the sofas inside. And that wasn’t all, as the trust also donated new air conditioners to KPC.
The redecorated conference hall | Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
The upper floor of KPC housed some old cupboards with old papers and books. The cupboards, which also turned out to be solid teak are now all cleaned and polished. The books have also been cleaned and sorted according to subject. Instead of being pushed against the wall to one side, the cupboards have been placed to create walking areas in between for those looking for reading material.
Side entrance | Aziz Soomro / EFT
The family of the late former commissioner of Larkana, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas, Salahuddin Qureshi — who also authored several books including Sindh: Time Capsule of Heritage — has also expressed its wish to donate all of his book collection to the KPC library.
Wall with damaged stones telling a tale of neglect | Aziz Soomro / EFT
The EFT says that with their work the historical KPC building can stand the test of time for the next 100 years. The biggest challenge now is for the KPC management to maintain it. For this they are looking forward to welcoming the EFT experts for regular inspection visits.
The library has been refurbished and redesigned | Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
Had it not been for their intervention to save the province’s heritage buildings, many such landmark structures today would be making way for giant shopping plaza, and malls. The media may be under threat these days but at least the KPC no longer is.
The writer is a member of staff She tweets @HasanShazia
Larkana or Larkano is the fourth largest city located in the Northwest of Sindh Province, Pakistan. It is located in Larkana District and is a thickly populated city which is growing rapidly. In August 2000, Larkana celebrated its hundredth year of existence. HistoryLarkana is as old as civilization of Mohenjo-daro that dates back five thousand years. Larkana was renowned for its production of cloth in those days. Its product of cloth was shifted from Moen-Jo-Daro to the rest of countries via water ways, in the mean time the same cloth was used for mummification in Egypt. Thus credit for unparalleled technological advancement of Moen-Jo-Daro goes to its trade of cloth. Aryans had come to Sindh in 2234 B.C. and settled in different part of Sindh, and while crossing Larkana, reached Bhanbhoor. Jhokar-jo-Daro is proof of Aryan visit. Different people came in Sindh but non could eliminate the tradition of Aryans till teachings of Gotam Bodh spread in 480's B.C whose proof is found in Moen-jo-Daro that was a center of worship for Buddhism. Sikandar (i-e Alexander) attacked Sindh in 330 B.C. His forces had crossed little known village as Mahota. It was named by his forces as Maota in Greek. After Greeks Sindh was ruled by Gupt Family from 320 CE to 525 CE. Thus, Chandias were rewarded heavily for their contribution. It was in this period that Larkana was named as Chandka. However, after demise of Jam Nizamuddin, Shah Beg Argon started ruling over Sindh. Larkano city is purely result of Construction of Cannal “Ghaari Wah”. In late 16th century, Kalhoras (also referred now as ABBASI) started their rule. In their rule, Shah Baharo was a ruler of Larkano in Kalhora period Sindhi language rose to its peak, especially in the period of Mian Sarfaraz Ahmed Khan Kalhoro Sahb. After end of Kalhora rule, period of Talpur came and Nawab Wali Mohammad Khan was made Governor of Larkano
In 1843 the English occupied Sindh and divided Sindh in three parts namely Karachi, Hyderabad and Shikarpur. Larkana was the part of Shikarpur and Dadu was part of Larkana. In 1930 Dadu was made a separate district and Larkana got its present shape during Historic movement for Pakistan. Larkanians took active role in movement of Khilafat and Higrat so on the whole Larkana is always been the centre of political activity in Sindh. www.cssforum.com.pk
The Early history of Chitral is shrouded in mystery.This mountainous country which was first referred to as Kohistan or land of the mountains was said to be inhabited by a race called "Khows" speaking a separate language Khowar, or language of the Khows. Some people say that it was Khowistan - the abode of the Khows. Separate parts of the country came to be called Torkhow - Upper Khow, Mulkhow - Lower Khow, names which persist to the present day. An early Sanskrit inscription at a village called Barenis (27 miles away from Chitral) of about AD 900 records that the country was Buddhist, under King Jaipal of Kabul. It is believed that Upper Chitral was under Buddhist influence in the past and even today there are a few rocks in Torkhow area known as "Kalandar-i-Bohtni" (Mendicant of Stone). It is a figure of a stupa; the upper part of which has been cut into the figure of Buddha and may be of Chinese origin. No records of this period exist.
Marco Polo, who passed through the Pamirs, referred to the country as Bolor. History relates that first a Chinese army and then an Arab (Mongols?) army invaded Chitral from the north by the Broghal pass when the upper part of the country is said to have been converted to Islam. The southern district remained non-Muslim till very late and were then converted to Islam. A Mongol tribe called Yarkhuns invaded Chitral via the Broghal pass and may have given their name to the Yarkun valley. They were opposed by Somalek, leader of the Khows. Another incursion is attributed to Changez Khan and his Tartars.
Chitral nevertheless has remained an independent state for centuries with its own culture and language. In the late nineteenth century it became part of British India. It was a princely state in 1947, which acceded to Pakistan in that year. The rule of the Mehtar came to an end in 1954 and power was henceforth exercised by the political agent posted at Chitral. The state was merged into Pakistan in 1969. The recorded history of Chitral is divided into six epochs as follows:
Iranian rule The Achemeanian Empire of Persia was extended to these regions during 400 BC. Its more than two thousand years since this empire receded but its supremacy was so strongly established that many Persian cultural traits are still in practice in Northern Areas as well as few parts of Chitral. In some valleys surrounding Chitral such as Wakhan, Shaghnan, and upper parts of Chitral people speak Persian language. Even Khowar, which is the native language of the local people (Khow), contains much borrowing from Persian.
Zoroastrianism, an Old Persian religion, has also left behind some of its traces in this area. Traditions also tell about leaving of dead bodies unburied in caves in the wilderness or in the hollow of trees. Such practices were specific in this religion. A festival on 21st March (Nouroz) the first day in Persian calendar still prevails in Chitral. It is celebrated in few valleys every year. (Israr Chitral A historical sketch)
Kushan rule The Kushan dynasty established its rule in this area in 200 AD. In the second century Kanishka the most powerful emperor of Kushan dynasty had extended his rule all over Northern India, probably as far as south Vindyas and all over the remote region up to Khotan beyond the Pamir pass.
Chinese rule The Chinese extended their influence in the 4th century AD and remained in power until the 8th century. The rock inscription of Pakhtoridini near Maroi refers to Chinese rule. Another inscription in Barenis refers to the Kushans. According to Sir Aurel Stien, the inscription says that Jivarman ordered to make the pertinent drawing of a stupa. Such rock carvings have created confusion for writers like Buddulph and many others to believe that Chitral formed part of the last Hindu Shahi ruler of Kabul. It's also believed that the northern parts had embraced Islam by the end of 9th century when Arabs defeated Bahman, chief of the country. By the time of withdrawal of Arabs many people had accepted Islam. (Souvenir, 2nd Hindukush Cultural Conference, p.19-21)
Kalash rule In the 11th century AD southern Chitral was invaded by the Kalash from Afghanistan, who occupied the country as far to the North as Barenis village, while the upper parts were under another chief Sumalik. some Kalash Chiefs Rojawai, such as Nagar Shah and Bala sing ruled Southern Chitral from 11th to 13th centuries A.D.
Rais rule In the beginning of 11th century Shah Nadir Rais occupied southern Chitral and defeated the Kalash. Shah Nadir Rais extended his dominion from Gilgit to the present southern boundaries of Chitral. Rais family ruled over Chitral for about three hundred years when Katura family succeeded them.
During the Rais rule in Chitral its boundaries extended from Narsut in the extreme south of the state to Gilgit in the east. The rulers had an effective council of chiefs of the local tribes to run the affairs of the country. The ruler of this family also worked for the dissemination of the teachings of Islam in the state.
There were no regular state forces to defend the state frontiers so the local headmen and chiefs called all the persons of their tribes to fight for the state under the collective defense system. The Mehtar (ruler) had friendly relations with the rulers of surrounding countries. (Baig, Hindu Kush study series vol. two)
Katur rule The Katur succeeded the Rais dynasty in 1595. Muhtaram Shah I was the founder of Kature rule in Chitral, whose descendants ruled over Chitral until 1969 when the State was merged as a district of NWFP.
During the rule of Amirul Mulk in 1895, Umra Khan the chief of Jandool crossed the Lawari pass and invaded lower Chitral. As a result, there was fierce fighting in which the Mehtar of Chitral and British officers were besieged in Chitral fort for 42 days. Troops from Gilgit and Nowshera came to the rescue of the besieged fort and the British rule was extended over entire Chitral in April 1895. Shuja ul Mulk emerged as the ruler after the war who ruled for 42 years until 1936.
During the Pakistan movement there was a campaign in Chitral in favor of independence. The people backed all India Muslim League and Mehtar Muzafarul Mulk openly declared his backing to the Pakistan movement. In May 1947 H.H. Muzafarul Mulk informed the Viceroy about his intention to join the new state of Pakistan. The accession instrument was signed on November 7, 1947.
Posts
