12 July 2004	Monday	23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

MIRPURKHAS, July 11: Thousands of students in the district have not been provided with free textbooks despite the Sindh education department's orders.

When contacted, the district officer, elementary education, Ibrahim Kumbhar, said 40 per cent students of primary schools had acquired the books.

The education department had ordered to open primary schools on July 9 and 10 for distribution of the books among the students but district education officers and a large number of school heads did not respond to the directives.

The books could not be distributed among majority of the students in Mirpurkhas, Mirwah, Jhuddo, Tando Jan Mohammad, Shadi Palli, Umerkot, Nabisar, Pithoro, Kunri, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Dhoro Naro, Digri, Samaro and others areas.

PROCESSION: The Sunni Tehrik, Mirpurkhas, on Sunday took out a procession from its office to protest against the murder of its activist, Ashfaq Qadri. Led by Abdul Latif Qadri, the protesters marched through main roads and raised slogans against the government. They demanded early arrest of the killers of Mr Qadri.

POPULATION DAY: The World Population Day was observed in the district on Sunday. A procession was taken out from the Railway Station Chowk to create awareness among people about population planning.

Speaking on the occasion, district population officer Manzoor Ali, deputy district officer Rasheed Ahmad, Raza Baloch and others said the increasing population was the main hurdle in progress and prosperity of the country.

PARAMEDICS: A meeting of the Sindh Paramedical Staff Welfare Association held here on Sunday appealed to paramedics to take part in the July 13 to 15 polio eradication campaign.

The meeting, which discussed problems faced by paramedics, welcomed appointment of Faisal Gabol as the adviser to the Sindh chief minister on health. Nazeer Ahmad Detho presided over the meeting.