Workers’ convention

PESHAWAR, July 22: The workers of brick kilns belonging to different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday held a convention and protest demonstration against the imposition of 16 per cent sales tax and demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision.The convention was held at Atta Labour Hall, Khyber Bazaar, Peshawar, which was largely attended by the workers and owners of the brick kilns. The speakers said the imposition of 16 per cent sales tax was tantamount to snatching livelihood from the poor workers in the prevailing situation where jobs were not available.

Expressing their concern over the rising unemployment, they said the people were unable to feed their children due to poverty. They demanded of the government to withdraw the tax or provide jobs to the workers otherwise they would announce a countrywide protest movement.—Bureau Report

One dies on road

BATKHELA, July 22: One person was killed and five others sustained injuries in a road accident in Dargai area here on Friday.

The accident occurred due to collision between a truck and a Suzuki pick-up. Driver of the pick-up was killed on the spot while the injured passengers were taken to a nearby hospital.

In another incident, a child was killed when a stray bullet hit her. Shafa, daughter of Javed, had come with grandmother to the Aladanad area where she was hit by a stray bullet. She was rushed to the nearby hospital where she succumbed to injuries.—Correspondent

Bail plea rejected

PESHAWAR, July 22: The Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan on Friday dismissed bail petition of a local cleric charged with sexually abusing a three-year-old child at a seminary.

The accused, Qari Mohammad Zaman, was arrested a few days ago after the occurrence which took place in Kakshal area in the jurisdiction of Agha Mir Jani police station.

The complainant in the case was father of the minor boy. The child was sent to a nearby seminary by his parents for learning Quran. He claimed that when the child returned home he was crying out of pain and was also injured. The complainant and inhabitants of the area, when came to know about what had happened to him, went to the seminary and caught hold of the cleric.—Bureau Report

Demo against police

PESHAWAR, July 22: The residents of various localities of Peshawar on Friday held a protest demonstration at Sher Shah Suri Road against police failure to control the increasing crime in the district.

The protesters were led by activists of Pasban Organisation who were holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for action against the criminals, particularly against those involved in kidnapping for ransom and selling drugs.

Talking to reporters Pasban president Qari Abdullah said criminal activities were on the rise, adding, on July 14 a young boy was kidnapped in the presence of police, which didn’t even file an FIR. He alleged police were hand in glove with the criminals and avoiding action against them.—Bureau Report

New tax rejected

PESHAWAR, July 22: The wholesalers and vegetable commission agents association has rejected the government decision to levy tax on loading and unloading of goods in Peshawar and warned of protests if the decision was not withdrawn.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar press club on Friday the association’s president Malik Sohni said the traders were already paying different kinds of taxes and could not afford any new tax.

He also expressed annoyance over a tender notice floated in the media for awarding contract collecting local tax and asked the Town-IV administration to withdraw the tender.

The vegetable and fruit markets, he said, were under direct control of the provincial government and the TMA had no right to levy new taxes.—Bureau Report