0
MINGORA, Jan 14: The Fokker service to Swat is likely to be stopped in the near future on account of the losses it is incurring on the route.
A broad hint to this effect was dropped at a meeting of Nazimeen and elders of Swat held with the zonal manager of Civil Aviation, NWFP.
The elected representatives expressed their concern over this prospect and demanded of the NWFP governor and secretary defence to take personal interest and revert the decision, if already taken.
The government had initially suspended the flights since Oct 9 due to lack of passengers, but now the authorities are planning to stop the services permanently. Flights to Banuu had already been stopped.
The Nazimeen of Swat have expressed their anguish over the reports and threatened to protest if the government stopped the service. They said private airlines would be approached if the national flag carrier stopped its services.
It was reported that the civil aviation staff was also to wind up shortly.
When PIA authorities in Swat and Peshawar were contacted, they said the flights had been stopped due to financial losses, but they gave no other details.
JAILED: At least ten activists of the Tanzeem Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) and Jaish-i-Muhammad (JM) were sent to jail Monday under 16 MPO, who were rounded up on Sunday last by the Kabal police.
Those arrested included Maulvi Farooq Shah, Haji Muhammad Ishaq, Ruhul Amin, Fazal Karim, Zahir Shah, Suleman, Shah Naseem, Qari Muhammad ullah, Abdul Sattar and Muhammad Sherin.
It was reported that the police continued raids on the hideouts of the activist of the banned organizations. A majority of the key leaders have gone underground.
