Two killed in Swabi

SWABI, Jan 7: Two persons were killed in separate incidents here on Saturday, said the police.

A man killed his sister in the far-flung Maini village over a domestic dispute.

According to FIR the killing of woman preceded exchange of hot words between the victim and her brother. The accused managed to escape after the incident.

In Batakara the police recovered body of an unidentified youth from open fields. The police placed the body in the civil hospital Topi for identification.—Correspondent

Road accident claims 2 lives

MANSEHRA, Jan 7: Two people were killed and three others suffered critical injures when a speeding car collided head-on with a wagon here late on Friday night.

The car with five people onboard was on its way to Mansehra from Abbottabad. It collided with a wagon coming from the opposite direction after failure of brakes.

Gohar Rehman and Mohammad Javed of Janderbanda were killed instantly while Mohammad Younus, Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif sustained critical injuries. They were taken to Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad.—Correspondent

Poor hit by price hike

PESHAWAR, Jan 7: National Labour Federation (NLF) has warned to launch a protest drive against the government if it fails to take immediate steps for overcoming the soaring prices of daily use items, CNG and petroleum products.The government has failed to implement its decision regarding paying of Rs7,000 as minimum wage to workers while the rates of daily use items are frequently increased, said Abadul Sattar Hoti, NLF provincial general secretary on Saturday.

He said closure of industrial units had generated joblessness while the government had failed to provide the workers alternative sources of income.

He said the poor workers were unable to educate their children in the prevailing circumstances.

He demanded of the government to control the price hike, withdraw increase in petroleum products and implement minimum wage decision and announce special incentives for labourers.—Bureau Report

Security of foreigners

MANSEHRA, Jan 7: Mansehra police ensured foolproof security to foreigners working on rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the district.

This was stated by the DPO Ijaz Ahmad Khan while speaking at the monthly crime meeting on Saturday.

He asked the policemen to be more vigilant and cautions about providing foolproof security to foreigners, saying if needed extra force would be deployed.

SSP (investigation) Mohammad Khalid Khan, DSP Malik Ijaz, ASP Kamran Mumtaz, DSP investigation Habibullah Khan, circle officers, SHOs and investigation officers attended the meeting. Mr Khan said search operation would be launched in Afghan refugee camps as these spots were the breeding grounds for the criminals.

The DPO said peace and reconciliation committees would be constituted at police station level comprising people with modest background to curb the crime.—Correspondent

Rain, snowfall in Dir

UPPER DIR, Jan 7: After a long dry spell, parts of Upper Dir, including Dir town, received heavy rain and snowfall. The rain started on Wednesday followed by snowfall on Thursday, which continued till late Friday night.

Mountainous areas like Thal, Lamoti, Barikot, Guoldai, upper Kohistan, Brawal received three feet of snowfall while 9 inch snowfall was recorded in Dir town. Heavy snowfall disrupted electricity and telephone system.

An ISPR press release said the main Dir-Chitral-Lowari tunnel road had been reopened for traffic.

But the most of links roads in Kohistan were blocked, while the residents were in shortage of essential commodities.

Meanwhile, the Pesco restored power supply in the Dir town.—Correspondent

JI public meeting

GHALANAI, Jan 7: The Jamaat-i-Islami former amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad will address a public meeting in main Mandi Bazaar of Mohmand tribal region today (Sunday).

The JI Mohmand Agency chapter amir and the contender for the NA-36 constituency, Mohammad Saeed, said that all the arrangements had been finalised in this regard. He said the JI workers and tribesmen from all parts of the agency would participate in the gathering.

The political administration has taken security measures at the venue of the public gathering. Posters of the JI leaders have been displayed in different bazaars. It will be the first-ever public meeting of JI in the tribal region after the government extended Political Parties Act to the tribal areas.—Correspondent

Power, gas outages

MINGORA, Jan 7: A jirga of Swat elders threatened to start anti-government protest campaign if prolonged and unscheduled electricity and gas loadshedding was not ended by January 10.

The jirga was attended by former nazim Dr Khakid Mehmood, Dilbar Khan, Mohammad Shoab Mama, Gul Zada, Amir Mohammad, Dawlat Khan, Mohammad Anwar Rafiullah, Faqir Mohammad, and others.

They warned if their demand was not met then they will stage hunger strike camp at Saidu Sharif hospital chowk and before the main office of SNGPL. They said they had time and again informed the concerned quarters regarding their problems but unfortunately they turned deaf ear to their complaints. They warned to continue protest till acceptance of their demands.—Correspondent

ISO certifications

PESHAWAR, Jan 7: The National Productivity Organisation (NPO) organised a training workshop here on Saturday to apprise local businessmen about technicalities involved in seeking ISO certificates.

Organised in collaboration with the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the NPO trainers explained different aspects of ISO documentation, implementation, and auditing procedures involved in qualifying for ISO certificates.

Titled “Understanding and Implementing ISO/QS 9,000 and 14,000” the training was aimed at helping the local businessmen improve their understanding about the ISO certifications, audit mechanism, and helping them to improve their operational efficiency.—Bureau Report

Death condoled

PESHAWAR, Jan 7: Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar on Saturday expressed deep shock and profound sorrow over the death of the mother of senior journalist Abdur Rehman.

In a condolence message he prayed to Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with equanimity.—APP