Karim Ullah | ChitralToday
BOONI: Forest Watchmen (Nigahban) in Upper Chitral say Rs40 million meant for their salaries has disappeared. They have not received pay for the past seven years.
The watchmen warn they will protest on the streets with their families if the government does not clear their dues.
At a press conference in the Upper Chitral Press Club, they said they have served the Forest and Wildlife departments since 2016. Their duties include monitoring ibex and other wildlife. Despite this, officials stopped paying them in 2018. They accused the authorities of discrimination.
“Watchmen in Lower Chitral get their salaries on time. Why are we treated differently?” they asked. They said they planted trees under the Billion Tree Tsunami project in Qaqlasht, Parwak Lasht, and Khotan Lasht. They have not received payment for this work either.
According to them, the deputy speaker released Rs40 million for their salaries. They said no one knows where the money went. Repeated visits to government offices brought no answers.
“We are not asking for charity. We only want the wages we earned,” one watchman said. Their demands: Pay all pending salaries from 2018 to date; Give Upper Chitral watchmen the same treatment as those in other districts.
They warned they will have no choice but to protest with their families if the government fails to act. This standoff highlights a growing crisis in Upper Chitral, where many public employees face delays in pay.
Earlier ChitralToday coverage on Nigahbans: In June 2018: “400 Nigahbans waiting for nine months’ pay told to pack up” — Over 400 Nigahbans involved in the Billion Tree Tsunami project were left unpaid and dismissed after nine months of service.
In January 2019: “Most nigahbans not paid salaries for 16 months may also lose their jobs” — Nigahbans in Upper Chitral had not been paid for over 16 months. They had staged hunger strikes and protests.