NEWS IN BRIEF

Published October 14, 2011

House burgled

SWABI, Oct 13: Unidentified robbers took away cash and jewellery from the house of an official of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) here on Wednesday night.

The robbers entered the house of Mr Sultan, survey engineer of the CAA at Mohallah Zako Mero (Musakhel) during the night when the family was sleeping. They collected cash and jewellery and escaped. Mr Sultan was in Islamabad at the time of the robbery.

Sultan’s wife who woke up at 4.15am found all suitcases lying scattered in the lawn and doors of rooms and main gate of the house open. When the family checked, they found that six tola ornaments, prize bonds worth Rs30,000 and Rs25,000 cash were missing. —Correspondent

Increase in pension

PESHAWAR, Oct 13: The All Pakistan Pensioners Association (APPA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, has demanded of the provincial government to increase their pension and other allowances proportionate to inflation.

These demands were raised by the former employees during a protest demonstration held at Sher Shah Suri Road near Peshawar Press Club on Thursday. The retired employees were carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands.

They also shouted slogans for early solution of their problems.

The protesters said they had presented their charter of demands to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister but he did not pay attention. He demanded that the former employees be provided sufficient medical and Eid allowances, quota for Haj, Umrah and discount in the transport fare. —Bureau Report

Quake-hit schools rebuilt

MANSEHRA, Oct 13: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Unicef has reconstructed eight more schools destroyed in October 2005 earthquake in Hazara Division.

A delegation of the Saudi Development Fund (SDF) will hand over the keys of the reconstructed schools to Erra during its proposed visit to Hazara in couple of days.

A press release issued by the Saudi embassy and information gathered from Erra revealed that the SDF reconstructed these schools from its extra funds donated by the bureau of the custodian of the two holy mosques for the relief of survivors of the earthquake tragedy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sources in the Erra said Saudi Arabia was the largest single financier of the rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. —Correspondent

Fight against militancy

PESHAWAR, Oct 13: Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has appreciated all segments of society for offering unmatched sacrifices in the fight against militancy. He said ‘restoration’ of peace in the province was a big achievement which had become possible with the support of the people.

This he said while talking to representatives of media after meeting with a delegation of traders representing Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajiran at Governor House on Thursday.

Mr Kausar appreciated the spirit of cooperation of the traders community. The delegation was led president of the organisation Sharafat Ali Mubarak. The delegates condemned the rocket attacks in Orakzai Agency the other day while the governor was visiting the area and congratulated him on his safe return from the area. —Bureau Report

Oil and gas profit

PESHAWAR, Oct 13: Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has said profit from oil and gas would be spent on uplift of the southern districts.

He said the government’s special initiatives for eradication of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy will yield long lasting results. The CM expressed these views while talking to MPAs during his weekly meetings on Thursday.

The CM said work on projects under available net hydel profit will commence this year to overcome energy crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said his government was providing development funds to all provincial constituencies regardless of political affiliations. He said being people’s representatives, it is our responsibility to provide life basic needs to people. —Bureau Report

Jobs for special persons

PESHAWAR, Oct 13: The Association of Special Persons’ Rights has demanded of the government to implement the two per cent job quota for special persons.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday the office-bearers of the association led by Ihsanullah Khan demanded of the government to allow the special persons to import the old models and reconditioned vehicles for personal use.

Mr Ihsanullah regretted that healthy people were allowed to import reconditioned vehicles but the disabled people were not given the right for unknown reasons. He said despite announcement by President Asif Zardari in August 2009 the special persons were forced to purchase brand new vehicles by paying duties on them. —Bureau Report

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