August 03, 2007	Friday	Rajab 18, 1428

UPPER DIR, Aug 2: Local leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League have said relief goods provided by the federal government had been distributed fairly among affected people of the Banria Nashnamal village.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, district PML-Q president Mian Sultan Yousaf Bacha, general secretary Sardaraz Khan, Malik Lali Khan, Malik Muzaffar Khan nazim, Abdullah Khan and others said the people who were complaining about the distribution process were not the real victims. The termed the allegations baseless.

They said the protesting people had not suffered any casualty nor their properties had been damaged. They said they even did not belong to the Banria Nashnamal village, which had been struck by lightening. Some elements were instigating villagers for protest to achieve their own interests.

They said PML leaders had distributed relief goods in the presence of officials of secret agencies and the media.

About a complaint of the district government that it had not been included in the distribution process, the PML leaders alleged that the local government had misappropriated the compensation amount announced for victims of heavy snow.

They thanked Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for announcing Rs11 million for the affected people, in addition to relief goods.

They urged the federal government to declare three union councils of Ushari Dara calamity-hit areas.