Geography

Location: 35°53’15″N 71°48’01″E

• Area: 14,850 sq km
• Arable: 99 sq km
• 32 Valleys
• 30 Principal Passes
• Seasonal isolation (up to 6 months)

It is bounded on the north-west by Afghanistan, on the south by Upper Dir and Kunar province of Afghanistan, and on the east by Ghizer district of northern areas and Swat.

Topography

The district is a mountainous tract. The mountains are largely bare except for the lower part of the district, and cultivation is found only in small patches at the bottom of deep and narrow valleys. Altitude ranges from 3,500 feet in the extreme south at Arandu to 25,263 feet at Terich Mir. The district comprises several valleys—the most important and largest is the Chitral–Mastuj valley stretching from Broghil in the Pamirs to Arandu on the southern tip on the Afghan border. Others include Laspur, Mulkhow, Torkhow, Terich, Owir, Lotkoh, Shishi and Ashuret.

The Chitral–Mastuj valley, approximately 320 km long, is bounded by the Hindu Kush range to the west (bordering Afghanistan), the Hindu Raj range to the east, and in between the Shandur–Karakoram range.

Climatology

The climate of Chitral is distinctly continental: hot in summer (from very hot in lowlands to cool in the high elevations). Spring weather is variable, with frequent rain and snowfall, while autumn is mild and pleasant. The extreme maximum recorded at Chitral in July is 36°C. Summers at high altitude (e.g., Broghil, Sorlaspur, Gobore, Begusht, Kiyar, Arkari, Owir, Rech) are cold and windy with extremely cold nights.

In winter most valleys face northerly winds and blizzards. The extreme minimum recorded at Chitral station is −0.9°C (January). Annual precipitation ranges from 250 to 1000 mm, with winter and spring precipitation crucial for the rabi season and perennial streamflow. Summer and autumn account for only about 32% of annual rainfall; thunderstorms can cause floods, and dust storms occur in July–August.

Mean Temperature & Precipitation

Demography

The area that is now Chitral has been inhabited for at least 4,000 years. Its people belong to over a dozen different cultures and speak more than 14 languages—bearing traces of Greek, Iranian, Mongolian, Tatar and Turk influences due to its unique location and historic links with Central Asia and Europe.

According to the 1998 census, Chitral’s population was 318,689 (162,082 males; 156,607 females), growing at 2.5% annually since 1981 (down from 3.3% during 1972–81). About 80% live in remote and risky areas; 20% in urban centers such as Chitral and Drosh. The population is now estimated at ~400,000 across ~40,000 households spread from Arandu (south) to Broghil (north).

Economy

Chitral is traditionally agrarian, with wheat and maize as staples. Most households practice subsistence farming, and landholdings are small. Fruit is widely produced and largely consumed locally; about half of the cultivable land lies in single-cropping zones (Lolkoh, Mastuj, Mulkhow, and Torkhow tehsils).

The estimated per-capita income in 1997 was PKR 9,543 per annum. Despite improvements, around 40% of the population may still live below the poverty line. Seasonal migration is common—particularly from upper Chitral—to seek winter employment in cities, returning in spring for agriculture. Employment with Chitral Scouts (~5,000 personnel), government departments, NGOs, and the private sector contributes to incomes; remittances from overseas (especially Middle East) add modestly.

Natural resources include minerals, medicinal plants, and potential cash-crop areas (e.g., potato and fruit). Biodiversity and tourism are strong long-term opportunities.

Communication

Chitral is accessible from Dir via Lowari Pass, from Gilgit via Shandur Pass, and from Mohmand Agency via Nawa Pass. Main roads to sub-tehsils were built over time; the Chitral–Booni (75 km) road was metalled in the 1990s with CADP support. Numerous link roads connect valleys and villages through local government and NGO–community partnerships.

As of the 2001 survey (District Government Chitral & IUCN), roads total ~680 km, of which 177 km are metalled; many bridges have been constructed across valleys and villages.

Telecommunication

PTCL rapidly expanded services across Chitral; 13 exchanges operate even in remote parts, with a wireless loop system improving access. Multiple mobile networks now cover most areas.

Education

Enhancing access and quality remains a priority. Basic education quality is constrained by under-resourced schools, low teacher motivation, and weak supervision; higher education often lacks job-oriented focus. Male students may leave school due to poverty and lack of vocational pathways, while girls’ enrollment is limited by the scarcity of middle and high schools.

Suggested Measures

• Adopt a two-track strategy: mass education and professional training.
• Mobilize policy, administrative, and material support from stakeholders.
• Establish quality technical education aligned to domestic and overseas job markets.
• Secure national policy support for admissions to professional institutions.
• Institute a student scholarship program.

Drinking Water

Historically, communities relied on springs, streams, rivers, lakes, and glacier melt. Government and NGO interventions improved access to tap water, but long-term sustainability challenges persist where maintenance responsibility is unclear.

A major drinking-water project for Chitral town—supported by local government and Germany—sources water from a spring ~20 km away, serving ~30,000 residents, later expanded by ~10,000. Despite progress, many still lack reliable access to safe drinking water, though women’s burdens have eased where household taps exist.

Health

Government is the primary healthcare provider. Staffing shortfalls at THQs and BHUs create vulnerabilities in emergencies: approximately one doctor per 8,510 people and one nurse per 26,666. Strengthening workforce capacity is a critical need.

Health Facilities

Tehsils & Union Councils

Administrative Setup

• Sub-divisions: Chitral, Mastuj
• Sub-tehsils / Tehsils: Chitral, Drosh, Garum Chashma, Mulkhow, Torkhow, Mustuj, Arandu

Union Councils (24)

1. UC Kuh
2. UC Danin
3. UC Chitral-I
4. UC Chitral-II
5. UC Ayun
6. UC Broze
7. UC Shishikoh
8. UC Drosh-I
9. UC Drosh-II
10. UC Ashurate
11. UC Arandu
12. UC Shoghore
13. UC Karimabad
14. UC Lotkuh
15. UC Owir
16. UC Kosht
17. UC Mulkhow
18. UC Terich
19. UC Khot
20. UC Shagram
21. UC Yarkhun
22. UC Mustuj
23. UC Laspur
24. UC Charun