People Reject Privatization of Upper Chitral’s Only Government Hospital, Demand Immediate Reversal

A grand alliance comprising political parties, civil society organisations, trade unions and the bar association has launched a protest movement against the outsourcing of Upper Chitral’s only Category-D government hospital. Addressing a gathering in Booni, the district headquarters of Upper Chitral, alliance leaders including Asadur Rehman, Prince Sultan, Amjad Khan, Zakir Muhammad Zakhmi and Arifullah announced the start of an indefinite sit-in. They said the protest would continue until the government withdraws its decision to outsource the hospital’s management.

The alliance strongly rejected the move, vowing to mobilise the public against what they described as an unpopular and controversial decision. The leaders recalled that a similar proposal had faced unanimous opposition several years ago from political parties, civil society groups and representative forums, which had formally communicated their reservations to the provincial government, health department and local administration through joint resolutions and multi-party conferences. Despite these objections, they said, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Foundation proceeded with the plan and recently issued an offer letter to an organisation based in Shangla.

Expressing deep concern, the alliance leaders noted that residents of the remote and underdeveloped district had long been campaigning for the upgradation of the hospital into a District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. Instead of strengthening public healthcare services, they said, the government had opted to privatise its management. They argued that rising unemployment and widespread poverty would make it difficult for local people to bear the increased costs likely under private administration. Warning of intensified action, they said that if the offer letter is not withdrawn, the protest campaign would expand into a district-wide public resistance movement.