Upper Kohistan residents announce protests against lack of facilities

MANSEHRA: People from different segments of society on Saturday announced to launch street agitation against issues including education, health, electricity and water in the Upper Kohistan district.

“We are initiating a street agitation to demand our rights because people in the district are still deprived of basic necessities, facing educational, health, and infrastructure challenges,” said Maulana Attaur Rehman, the prayer leader of the central mosque, during a consultative meeting held in Kamila area. The meeting also decided to block the Karakoram Highway, observe a shutter-down strike, and soon announce a schedule for the agitation.

“We have been experiencing daily power outages and lack of potable water for many weeks. Despite raising these issues with the authorities concerned, no remedial measures have been taken yet,” stated Maulana Attaur Rehman. He stated that Kohistan, home to the Dasu and Diamer-Basha hydropower projects, was poised to contribute to resolving the country’s energy shortfall but still lacked basic health, education, and road infrastructure.

Former MPA Malik Qadam Khan, speaking at the event, criticised the government for neglecting the district’s people. “This prompted us to unite and decide on launching street protests for our rights,” he added. “We will announce the protest schedule within a couple of days, with traders, lawyers, Ulema, and local government representatives joining our agitation,” he stated.