The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership has begun efforts to reinvigorate the party in Chitral in a bid to reclaim its erstwhile stronghold, a task critics describe as herculean.
Chitral, now divided into Upper and Lower districts, remained a PPP bastion throughout the 1970s and beyond. The people of Chitral held deep respect and affection for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whom they considered their savior. In return, Bhutto showed exceptional generosity toward the region, initiating several groundbreaking steps for its development. His decision to ensure the supply of wheat and other essential commodities to the landlocked population elevated him to the status of a hero in the eyes of Chitralis.
When a famine-like situation struck the upper parts of Chitral, particularly the Broghil valley, in the mid-70s, Bhutto dispatched relief consignments, including food items and fodder for yaks, through C-130 aircraft. After days of heavy snowfall, some Broghil residents managed to reach the lone Chitral Scouts jawan stationed there to relay their desperate situation, informing him that they had run out of essentials and their yaks were dying due to lack of fodder.
The jawan relayed the message, with considerable difficulty, to the then deputy commissioner via wireless, the only means of communication at the time. According to those familiar with the episode, the message reached the deputy commissioner around 5:30 pm. He immediately alerted the relevant authorities in Islamabad, who brought the matter to the attention of Prime Minister ZA Bhutto. By the next morning, C-130 aircraft began airlifting essential supplies to the snow-hit residents of Broghil valley.
Such swift decisions, along with the selection of selfless local representatives, established the PPP as the strongest political force in the region.
After Bhutto’s death, however, the party’s central leadership gradually deprioritized Chitral, causing the PPP to lose ground to emerging parties and influential personalities. The deaths of dedicated leaders like Syed Ghafoor Shah further weakened the party, while internal rifts eventually rendered it an ordinary political player in the district.
However, the situation appears to be changing. The new PPP leadership in KP has taken some bold steps to strengthen the party in Chitral. Two prominent figures, Shahzada Khalid Pervez and former MPA Ghulam Muhammad, announced their return to the PPP at a grand gathering in Drosh. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and senior party leaders welcomed them back into the fold. The high-profile entry of Senator Talha Mahmood into Chitral’s political scene, along with his joining the PPP, is also expected to have consequences. Those familiar with PPP affairs believe that, given his proximity to the party’s top hierarchy, Talha Mahmood will wield significant influence over party matters in Chitral. His social work has already made an impact, though some PPP loyalists question his style of politics.
Political observers believe the PPP must take major initiatives if it hopes to win back the youth who shifted their loyalties to PTI. To regain its lost strength in Chitral, the party must re-engage with its core supporters and address local issues with renewed vigour.
Bilawal Bhutto and Assefa Bhutto will need to visit Chitral frequently and raise its issues at all forums if the PPP aims to match PTI’s popularity in both districts.
