Laid to rest

LAKKI MARWAT/KARAK, May 13: Eight FC recruits, who lost their lives in twin blasts outside the main gate of Frontier Constabulary training academy in Shabqadar on Friday morning, were laid to rest in their villages in Lakki Marwat district.

They were identified as Hidayatullah, Sakhi Marjan, Mohammad Masoom Jan, Najeebullah, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, Kiramatullah, Mohammad Zahid and Ajab Khan. People from different walks of life attended the funeral prayers of slain cops. They belonged to Mir Qalam Bettanni, Baistkhel Gambila and Begukhel villages.

Meanwhile, five security personnel, who died in the explosions, were led to rest with full official honour in Karak district. Three of them were identified as Noor Daraz, Mohammad Ameer and Haza Ali.

The slain cops belonged to Aral Banda, Latamber, Kamali Banda and Rahmatabad villages of Karak. —Dawn Report

Two commit suicide

SWABI, May 13: A man who allegedly killed his father three days ago in Shagai area committed suicide on Friday.

Officials said the police raided various areas to arrest the accused, Naik Mohammad, after he killed his father and threatened other relatives with a similar fate. The police chased Naik Mohammad and finally surrounded him in Shagai region. He was asked to surrender but instead turned his gun on himself and committed suicide.

Meanwhile, a labourer, Shahbaz from Faisalabad, committed suicide on Friday. The police said he was working in a local textile mills. The Gadoon Industrial police registered a case. The body was later dispatched to Faisalabad. —Correspondent

Students, teacher booked

PESHAWAR, May 13: The University of Peshawar has lodged FIR against six students and a teacher of the Department of Economics for cheating in the examination, sources said.

“About six students of Department of Economics were busy in solving their papers from books on the rooftop of the department’s building, when they were spotted by the security officials”, sources said.

On Friday, the matter was reported to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Azmat Hayat Khan, who ordered registration of FIRs after initial inquiry into the matter against a teacher and the students.

The varsity’s police briefly arrested Sar Biland Khan of the Economics Department on the charges of allowing students to climb upstairs and cheat in examination on the rooftop. He was released later. —Bureau Report

Protest against new taxes

ABBOTTABAD, May 13: Residents of Nawan Sher town on Friday held a protest rally against the proposed raise in taxes, especially on water supply and property.

The residents also formed a committee to hold meetings with the TMO to apprise him about the situation. TMA Abbottabad has issued new tax slabs for more than 200 items.

The committee comprises former nazims Iqbal Khan, Mushatq Ahmed Khan, president Awan-i-Tijarrat Nawan Sher, Masoodur Rehman, Jehanzeb Khan, Qazi Ghazanafar advocate and Abdur Rauf Khan advocate. —Correspondent

Funds for schools

PESHAWAR, May 13: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved funds for reconstruction of various government schools blown up by militants in Peshawar.

A statement issued here on Friday said the funds had been approved by Chief Minister Ameer Haidar Hoti. It was stated the CM approved over Rs97 million for two under-construction high schools in Badhber and over Rs96 million for two high schools in Aza Khel, respectively.

Meanwhile, the chief minister also approved Rs1 million for Upper Dir district bar association for upgradation of the bar room and provision of other facilities. —Bureau Report

Workers protest

SWABI, May 13: Workers of the Philip Morris International (PMI), a US tobacco company, staged a sit-in on Friday to protest against reduction in the annual bonus.

The workers gathered on the premises of the factory in Ismaila in the morning and continued their protest till afternoon. They said bonus of each worker was reduced from Rs24,000 to Rs14,000.

The workers refused to accept the reduced amount. They said amid increasing prices of essential commodities the bonus should be increased.

Later, workers’ leaders held talks with the officials of the PMI. The workers were promised to get raise in the bonus after their salary balance sheet was studied. —Correspondent

Pak-Turkey enjoy warm ties

PESHAWAR, May 13: Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, Mustafa Babur Hizlan, said on Friday both the countries were cooperating in trade, education and health sectors.

He said this while addressing a ceremony of the parents and staff members of the Pak-Turk International School and College here, according to a press release. The honorary counselor general for Turkey, Senator Salim Saifullah Khan, was also present. Mr Hizlan said the Pak-Turk International School and College was a sign of good relations between the people of Turkey and Pakistan.

Senator Saifullah thanked the government of Turkey for supporting Pakistan in different sectors. He said after the earthquake and devastating floods Turkey had supported the affected people in education and health sectors as well as in reconstruction process. —Bureau Report

Blasts condemned

PESHAWAR, May 13: Governor Syed Masood Kausar and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Friday condemned the twin suicide blasts at FC training school in Shabqadar, Charsadda, terming it inhuman and cowardly act.

In separate statements here, they expressed deep shock and sorrow over the loss of precious lives, saying, elements involved in this gory incident were not only the enemies of Pakistan but that of the Islam too.

Soon after the incident, the governor personally contacted the Commandant Frontier Constabulary and expressed his heartfelt sorrow over the loss of the precious lives.

The chief minister prayed for peace in heaven for the martyred, grant of courage and patience to bereaved families and speedy health for the injured. —Bureau Report

JUI-F rally

PESHAWAR, May 13: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F on Friday held a rally at Namak Mandi against the government for its failure to retaliate the US forces during the Abbottabad operation and asked the rulers to step down.

The protesters came out from a nearby mosque and blocked the road in protest. They were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the US and Pakistan government. The protesters were also shouting anti-US slogans and asked the government to stop supporting the Nato forces in Afghanistan. —Bureau Report