Two die on road MIRAMSHAH, April 21: Two passengers were killed and nine others wounded in a road accident here on Thursday.

Locals said a pick-up van carrying passengers turned upside down after colliding with another vehicle at a bus stand in Dattakhel area, injuring 11 persons. The injured were taken to agency headquarters hospital Miramshah. However two of them succumbed to their wounds on way to hospital. Five of the injured were in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the Machakhel and Mirkhunkhel tribes have refused to participate in the ongoing census process in different areas of Dattakhel tehsil. The families of victims of March 17 drone attack in Dattakhel had also refused to accept compensation money by the government. They said till halt to drone attacks and removal of checkposts the boycott will continue. —Correspondent Woman shot dead

HARIPUR, April 21: A woman was gunned down over a family dispute the other day. A minor was also injured, Saddar police said

Saddar police quoted Munawar Khan of village Goraki as saying his son Imran had contracted love marriage with the sister of Matloob who was not happy with her decision. On Wednesday evening Matloob came to their home and after find Imran and his wife were not home, he, in a fit of anger, opened fire at complainant’s wife, Rehmat Jan, injuring her seriously. A minor, Usama, 4, also received bullet injuries. The woman died in hospital.

Meanwhile, armed bandits deprived a family of cash and valuables in Ghazi tehsil. The intruders also injured the head of the family, Akhtar Nawaz, former UC councillor, and his wife seriously, when they put up resistance. The bandits took away 13 tola gold ornaments, Rs36,000 and some mobile sets. —Correspondent Killers’ arrest demanded

PESHAWAR, April 21: The relatives of a slain teenager on Thursday held a demonstration at Sher Shah Suri Road against Bana Mani police for failure to arrest his killers.

The people, holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for arrest of the accused, were also shouting slogans against the police.

The participants, mostly children, said the slain boy, Yasir Hussain, a class-10 student, was resident of Gulberg-4, Charkhana Road, who was shot dead by a group of three outlaws who were trying to snatch his motorcycle outside his residence a few days ago.

At the time of occurrence, they said police party led by ASI Sajid of Gulabad police post, was also present but they did not take action despite requests by the area people. —Bureau Report POL dealers warn of strike

SWABI, April 21: Leaders of the Swabi Petroleum Dealer Owners Association (SPDOA), at a meeting on Thursday, reiterated their warning that they would hold complete strike and stop sale of petroleum products from May 1 if the government failed to increase their commission.

The meeting was presided over by former president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Liaqat Ahmad Khan. The SPDOA president, Fazal Amin, and general secretary, Shah Wali, also spoke.

The participants criticised the Oil and Gas Regularity Authority officials for imposing unjust fines over them. —Correspondent Tribesmen hold demo PESHAWAR, April 21: Activists of Jamaat-i-Islami, Khyber Agency, on Thursday held a demonstration outside Peshawar Press Club against the dilapidated condition of the Jamrud-Peshawar Road and held the Nato trucks responsible for its destruction.

The protesters led by JI Fata amir, Zar Noor Afridi, were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of their demand. They also shouted against the US and its allies.

While talking to media persons Mr Zar Noor said the commuters were facing immense difficulties due to dilapidated condition of the road leading from Peshawar to Landi Kotal.

He said Nato oil tankers had adversely damaged Pak-Afghan route creating hardships for locals. He criticised the elected representatives for being least bothered to reconstruct and maintain the road. —Bureau Report Envoy visits museum

PESHAWAR, April 21: The Austrian Ambassador to Pakistan Mr Axel Wech visited the Peshawar Museum on Thursday. He was accompanied by Austrian Trade Commissioner Wolfgang Pecifias and others.

The visitors were received by the curator of the museum, Nidaullah Sehrai, who briefed them about the history and art of Gandhara. They were taken around Buddha and Bodhisattva galleries also.

The Austrian delegation evinced keen interest in the Buddhist art of Gandhara and admired the rich collection, said a press release issued by the directorate of archaeology and museums. The ambassador also showed interest in the Islamic manuscripts and wooden effigies from the Kalash valley. Mr Wech remarked in the visitor’s book that the museum had an exciting collection. —Bureau Report Pesco recovers Rs125m

PESHAWAR, April 21: Peshawar Electric Supply Company has recovered Rs125 million from defaulters besides registering cases against 835 persons consuming electricity through illegal means.

Pesco chief executive Mohammad Wali said this while briefing a meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the public utility here, says a press release issued on Thursday.

Apart from recoveries and filing cases against those stealing power, special teams had also removed 5,000 illegal connections in different parts of the province. The provincial government had also paid Rs500 million outstanding dues to the public utility, said Mr Wali.

The BoD approved the purchase of four power transformers of 20/26 MVA for better power supply system and reducing low voltage and overload problems. Similarly, the bifurcation of 11kv Toormang-II feeders was also approved. —Bureau Report Missing persons

HARIPUR, April 21: Three missing persons, including a prayer leader, have returned to their homes after about one and half year. These persons belonged to a banned religious outfit and were believed to be picked up by some intelligence agencies for interrogation, their families said.

They said Mohammad Awais and Qari Abdul Hafeez of village Kamala Kotnajibullah and Mureed Khan of village Mohra Klawan, returned to their homes on Thursday morning. But, they did not divulge the details about their alleged captors or the place of their stay during this period.

Qari Abdul Hafeez was reportedly a prayer leader at a mosque at a local manufacturing unit of Hattar Industrial. —Correspondent