Kuragh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Kuragh is a village located in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It falls in Mastuj tehsil.[1][2]

Kuragh
Kuragh is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kuragh
Kuragh
Kuragh is located in Pakistan
Kuragh
Kuragh
Coordinates: 36°13′10″N 72°09′36″E / 36.219411°N 72.159964°E / 36.219411; 72.159964
Country Pakistan
ProvinceKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
DistrictChitral
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)

History

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The narrow passageways in the mountains near Kuragh witnessed battles between local warriors under Sher Afzal Khan and British troops in late 19th century.[2][3]

Terrain

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Kuragh is situated on Kunar River which is also known as Mastuj River or Chitral River.[4] The river here is a narrow gorge.[5] The village is located at the confluence of Mastuj and Mulkhow valleys.[2][6]

Demographics

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There are about 250 households in Kuragh belonging to Sunni and Ismaili communities.[2] Farming is a key sector of economy here.[6] The other important industry is tourism.[7]

Landmarks, facilities and development efforts

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Kuragh has government and Aga Khan schools.[8][9] The village has a shrine of Qalandar Shah, a saint.[2][10] Kuragh also has a Chitral Scouts post.[2] Chitral-Shandur Road project (a 153-km China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project) was inaugurated by the then prime minister Imran Khan in 2021 to boost trade and tourism, with Kuragh as one of the villages on the way.[11] However, the project was reportedly shelved in 2023 leading to agitation.[12]

References

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  1. ^ 1998 District Census Report of Chitral. Population Census Organisation, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 1999.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Deh ba Deh: Kuragh - where hearts beat together". Chitral Today. 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  3. ^ Younghusband, George John (1895). The Relief of Chitral. Macmillan and Company.
  4. ^ South Asian Handbook. Trade & Travel Publications. 1994. ISBN 978-0-8442-9980-8.
  5. ^ The Alpine Journal. Alpine Club. 1968.
  6. ^ a b Writer, Staff (2023-10-31). "Kuragh residents raise local issues at open forum". Chitral Today. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  7. ^ Writer, Staff (2022-12-21). "Sorry state of roads in Chitral". Chitral Today. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  8. ^ "::School Webportal". schools.kpese.gov.pk. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  9. ^ "Executive Director IBA visits Lower and Upper Chitral as part of NTHP's Outreach activities". nthp.iba.edu.pk. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  10. ^ admin (2012-04-27). "A saint who still rules many hearts". Chitral Today. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  11. ^ "CPEC New Route to boost trade, development & tourism--China Economic Net". en.ce.cn. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  12. ^ Sultan (2023-04-27). "Agitation against shelving of Shandur road project soon". Chitral Today. Retrieved 2024-08-24.