GILGIT: The decades-long territorial dispute between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) resurfaced when Upper Chitral residents, backed by their district administration, constructed temporary “cattle sheds” in Shandur, a scenic plateau known for its annual polo festival.
Both regions claim ownership of Shandur, making the construction of these structures a highly contentious issue.
The incident has ignited fears of a potential clash as the Ghizer district administration in Gilgit-Baltistan, along with local residents, condemned the actions of the KP government and swiftly dismantled the structures.
The situation arose when Upper Chitral district authorities justified the construction of the sheds, stating that they were built to protect cattle from tigers and other wild animals that roam the area.
The issue gained attention when Upper Chitral residents, accompanied by their district administration, initiated the construction of “cattle sheds” at Shandur, sparking an immediate reaction from Ghizer district officials.
Residents of Ghizer and the district administration moved to Shandur and dismantled the structures. This rapid response highlighted the simmering tensions between the two regions over Shandur’s ownership.
Assistant Commissioner Gupis-Phander, leading the Ghizer district’s response, issued a statement saying that, under the direction of deputy commissioner Ghizer, a team, including local police officials, reached the site to address the illegal construction.
He said that 17-25 young men from Laspur Chitral had begun constructing cattle sheds. Upon hearing the news, a large number of residents from Teru and Gulaghmuli arrived at the site in protest.
The assistant commissioner further stated that he held discussions with the local residents, urging them to avoid any actions that could lead to a breach of peace.
Subsequently, a meeting was held between representatives of the Ghizer administration, the Chitral police, and officials from the Chitral administration.
During the meeting, the youth from Laspur Chitral admitted their mistake, acknowledging that the construction was illegal.
Also read: KP’s ‘unilateral decision’ to postpone Shandur Festival stirs controversy
Later, at the demand of the people of Teru and Gulaghmuli Ghizer, and to prevent any threat to public order, the assistant commissioner, along with his team, demolished the illegal structures and cleared the area of any encroachments.
He said that the SHO Phander deployed police personnel to prevent further encroachments and maintain order. However, the Chitral administration has erected the structures again.
Speaking to HUM News, Upper Chitral District Commissioner Haseebur Rehman Khalil explained the reason behind the construction of the sheds. He mentioned that the area was frequently visited by tigers and other wild animals, which had been attacking livestock. He said that to protect their cattle, locals requested the district administration to take action.
“On their request, the Upper Chitral administration and local residents installed nets. However, residents of Ghizer and their administration objected, claiming that we had violated their territory. They dismantled the structures before we could even reach the site,” said Khalil.
“At this point, the residents of Ghizer and their administration contacted the Chitral administration, stating that they had violated their territory and were coming to dismantle the structures. We informed them that we were also on our way. However, the residents of Ghizer and their administration were closer and reached the site in 10-15 minutes, whereas it took us around three hours to arrive. They didn’t wait for us and dismantled the structures,” Khalil said.
The district commissioner further stated that he had reported the situation to the KP provincial government, accusing the Ghizer administration of creating hurdles.
“I also contacted the deputy commissioner of Ghizer, informing him that he should have consulted us before taking any action against our properties. We have deployed the Levies force to maintain law and order, and we have rebuilt the structures,” Khalil revealed.
He emphasised that dialogue was the only way forward, noting that the assistant commissioners, deputy superintendents of police, and other officials from both districts have now initiated talks.
When questioned about the legality of constructing permanent structures in a disputed area, Khalil admitted that a mistake had been made.
However, he insisted that it was inappropriate for another district’s administration to take action. He also acknowledged the longstanding dispute over Shandur’s ownership but argued that Shandur belongs to Chitral based on the presence of a police station and security forces in the area.
“If Shandur belonged to Gilgit-Baltistan, they would have a police station or check post there. But it’s Chitral’s territory because we have both a police station and deployed forces in the area,” Khalil argued.
Meanwhile, protests have begun in both Ghizer and Chitral, with residents from both regions expressing strong opposition to the actions taken by the opposing administrations.