August 21, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 18, 1429

PESHAWAR, Aug 20: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Wednesday declared those localities as calamity-hit areas, which had been badly affected due to torrential rains and floods on Aug 4.

The areas include the Dirdawar circle of Mathra and 22 Patwar circles of Khalisa. These areas will be exempted from paying water tax, land revenue, agriculture income tax etc for one year from June 30, says a handout.

According to details, 12,934 acres of land and standing crops over 9,939 acres had been destroyed.

The Patwar circles declared calamity-hit include Haryana Payan, Haryana Bala, Budhny, Palosi Atozai, Maghadrazai, Palosi Tarlazai, Mian Gujar, Pajjagi, Daman Hindki, Mulazai, Shai Bala, Khazana, Regi Lalma, Mathra, Charpriza, Lakrey, Kaneeza, Malakand Dher, Dag, Jallarian, Pakh Ghulam, Kukarh and Takro-I.

Meanwhile, Mr Hoti appreciated the people of Lakki Marwat for showing unity against outlaws.

Talking to a representative jirga from the Lakki Marwat district, headed by MPA Anwar Saifullah Khan, at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, he said joint efforts of the people in the troubled districts would lead to establishing a lasting and durable peace there.

Provincial PPP president and senior provincial Minister Rahimdad Khan was also present.

Other members of the jirga included MNA Humayun Saifullah, MPA Dr Khalid Raza Zakori, former MPA and PML-N leader Anwar Kamal Khan Marwat, district nazim of Lakki Marwat, and others. Mr Hoti said the situation was demanding from them to work together for restoration of peace by setting aside internal differences and party affiliations.

“As, without peace our endeavours for development will be fruitless,” the chief minister added.

The jirga members also informed the chief minister about some problems being faced by the people of the Lakki Marwat district, including the shortage of clean drinking water.