41kg heroin seized

PESHAWAR, March 26: Excise and taxation department and police teams on Saturday foiled a narcotics smuggling bid by seizing 41kg fine quality heroin during a joint raid.

On a tip-off, an excise and taxation department special team signaled a suspected truck coming from Jamrud side in Hayatabad area. During search, 41kg narcotics were recovered from hidden cavities of the truck. The police lodged case against driver Rangeen Khan. Minister Excise and Taxation Liqauat Shabab has announced special commendation certificates for the members of the raiding team.—APP Row settled

MANSEHRA, March 26: The row between Diamer and Kohistan district administrations over the mobility of the non-custom paid (NCP) vehicles is settled as Diamer police have allowed entry of such vehicles into Gilgit-Baltistan territory.

“The SSP Chilas has sent me an official letter along with a copy of the decision of the supreme appellate court, which allows the Kohistan NCP vehicles into Gilgit-Baltistan,” said Mohammad Ilyas, DPO Kohistan, while talking to reporters on Saturday.

The row had started some three months ago when the administration of Chilas barred the entry of NCP vehicles of Kohistan into Gilgit-Baltistan territory. In return, the Kohistan police also didn’t allow NCP vehicles of Darail and Tangir areas of Chilas into Kohistan. Mr Ilyas said owing to the restrictions imposed by Chilas police on NCP vehicles, the Kohistan people badly suffered. —Correspondent Factory workers protest

LAKKI MARWAT, March 26: Workers of Lucky Cement Factory held a protest demonstration on Saturday against the closure of factory and arrests of their leaders and colleagues.

Led by Zafar Abbas, an office-bearer of labour union, the protesters started their march from the office of Marwat Union of Journalists on old kachery road in Lakki city. They carried banners inscribed with their demands and slogans against the factory management. They turned into a small gathering when reached Kargil chowk on main Lorry Adda.

The labourers’ leaders condemned the closure of factory and fabricating their colleagues in false cases. They said over two dozen labourers and some leaders were arrested by police after they launched agitation against enhancement of duty hours for security staff and non-acceptance of other demands.

Demanding action against police personnel involved in torturing the arrested workers they asked the government to take notice of the excesses being meted out to poor workers by the factory management. —Correspondent Sports week

MARDAN, March 26: The sports week at the Bacha Khan Medical College Mardan concluded on Saturday. Students of 2nd year bagged top positions by wining 11 out of 16 events.

A prize distribution ceremony was organised in which the former federal minister Mohammad Azam Khan Hoti was the chief guest.

Commissioner Mardan Mohammad Adil Khan, DPO Zishan Raza, Medical College Principal Dr Ziya-ul-Islam and others were also present.

Mubashara Ali, a 2nd year student, was given “player of the year award” for her best performance. Mr Hoti also announced Rs200,000 for the sports society of the college.

Meanwhile, a youth committed suicide on Saturday in the Dang Baba area after developing differences with his mother over his engagement, the locals said.

The residents said the victim Bilal who had recently returned from Dubai, shot himself dead with a pistol when his mother refused to engage him with the girl of his choice. —Correspondent Fazl to visit Swabi SWABI, March 26: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, would visit the district on Wednesday and address a public meeting at government high school playground.

This was disclosed at a meeting of the party held here on Saturday presided over by Maulana Fazal Ali, the former provincial education minister.

Mr Ali told the meeting that beside JUI-F chief various central and provincial leaders would address the gathering.

He told media men that the JUI-F leaders would also visit Zarobai, saying, Mr Fazl would be briefed about the party affairs across the district. —Correspondent Vehicles auctioned PESHAWAR, March 26: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration department on Saturday auctioned 22 government vehicles of various types, declared damaged or condemned by various departments.

The vehicles were disposed of through an open auction under the supervision of Finance Minister Engr Mohammad Humayun Khan.

The whole auction process was completed in a transparent manner which was participated by a large number of bidders. The auction would generate Rs7.3 million to the provincial government's exchequer.—APP