PESHAWAR - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Tourism, Culture, Sports, Museums and Archeology Mahmood Khan has said that the provincial government is trying its utmost to protect the rights of minorities and further promote the culture of Kalash Valley.
This he said while talking to a 12-member delegation of Kalash Valley Chitral led by Wazirzada Mohtarma Saeed Gul in Peshawar on Wednesday. Secretary Information Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Director Culture, XEN C&W Chitral and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.
The delegation apprised the minister in detail of the problems being faced by the minorities of Kalash valley and demanded to give monthly salary to Qazis in Kalash.
They also demanded holding of Kalash festival, provision of land for graveyard and appointing local teachers of Kalash valley in government primary schools so that the teachers could impart education to the children in local language.
Mahmood Khan said that the provincial government has earmarked Rs10 million in the ADP for the development and welfare of minorities dwelling in Kalash valley out of which Rs5 million would be spent this year over the ongoing development schemes.
He asked the delegation to cooperate with the government in this connection so that the schemes could be completed in time having quality construction.
He announced to bring all the downtrodden districts of Malakand division at a par with the developed ones. The minister assured the delegation that all their problems would be redressed on priority. The delegation thanked the provincial minister for taking keen interest in the solution of their problems and assured its full cooperation.