Mumtaz Ali Khan

EARTH QUAKE IN SHANGLA Shangla is land of natural beauty, long green trees, high mountains, sweet springs, thick forest and streams, was earlier sub-division of Swat District. In 1995 after long movement and endeavors of its people the then Chief Minister of NWFP Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao upgraded it to the status of a District. According census of 1998 its population was 434563 which are 2.5% of the total population of the NWFP, while its current population is 541000. Here annual growth rate is 3.27% and population density is 274 persons per Sq-Km. The number of total households is 53529 and average household size is 8 persons per family. The literacy rate is 14.7% (25.2% in male & 3.7% in female). Total area of the District is 1586 sq-Km (339614 Acres) in which 104672 Acres (31%) is cultivated and 109685 Acres (32 %) is forest. There are two Tehsils i-e Tehsil Alpuri and Puran with 44 Patwar Circles and 111 villages. The District comprises of 1 National, 2 Provincial Assembly Seats, 2 Tehsil Councils and 28 Union Councils. . Recent devastating earth quake badly affected almost whole population of the District in one or other shape. This natural disaster took about thousands human lives, seriously injured many more persons. The Thousands of kacha & pacca houses are completely demolished, while others are partially damaged which are not fit for further use as these are dangerous and life risk is involved in their further use. Similarly last year loses of human lives and houses due to heavy snow fall and avalanches are not concealed from any one. Now thousands of earth quake affected are laying helpless under open sky in this severe cold winter weather. Ratio of government employers is 5.6%, while majority of its peoples are employed in coal mines through out the country and there standard of living is very below. The main source of income of population is agriculture. The inhabitants of the district are deprived of the infrastructure. AS it is the most backward District of NWFP Pakistan, any one can estimate living standard of its inhabitants from a report recently issued by the government in which this district was on top in ratio of poverty through out NWFP. Keeping in view low standard of living of its people lack of infrastructure severe cold winter separate geography and damages of devastating earth quake the people of Shangla District demands positive attention and measurements of government and NGOs for its sustainable development, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Thank You Mumtaz Ali Khan Ishaq Muhallah Old Post Office Road Mingora Swat NWFP Pakistan Phone +92946814281 Mobile +923005745127 mumtaz99@gmail. com, mumtaz0099@yahoo.com, mumtaz0099@inbox.com, mumtas99@hotmail.com