GOC lauds community initiatives in Chitral

Opens hydel power station in remote Shaidas village

MASTUJ, Chitral: General Officer Commanding (GOC), Malakand Division, Major-General Asif Ghafoor on Monday lauded community efforts in far-off areas of the district to overcome social and economic problems.

Speaking at a gathering of community elders after inaugurating the 150 KV hydel power station at remote Shaidas village near here, the GOC pledged to extend all-out support to such people-friendly initiatives in the remote areas.

To benefit over 340 households, the project was completed by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) at the cost of Rs 29 million under the Peace project of European Union (EU). The local community also made a contribution of Rs800,000.

The GOC granted Rs500,000 to the local women’s organisation for promotion of their handicraft centre. He also promised to facilitate the rebuilding of the old bridge, which connects the village to the main road.  He applauded the peace and tranquility in the valley. While returning from the village the GOC also stopped to see the 700 KV hydel power station being constructed by SRSP with EU assistance at Mastuj, which would be completed later this year.

This would ease pressure on the population because of destruction of the Reshun hydel power station in floods last year. The GOC said that all good initiatives would be supported by the Pakistan Army. He appreciated the contribution made by the SRSP for development in Malakand Division.

Ehsanullah Khan, member BoD of the SRSP, who welcomed the guests, said that visit by the military leadership was encouraging for the communities.  The community had organised a colourful function on the occasion. The community members said that the small hydel power project they had been running since mid-nineties was not able to meet the growing needs of the area particularly the development of small enterprises. “This project will go a long way to meet our needs. We praise the SRSP for the quality work,” said Tawakal Khan, a local elder.