Abductors kill driver, helper

SWABI, Jan 16: The kidnapped driver and helper of a passenger coach, which had been taken away from Swabi, have been killed by their abductors, police said here on Monday.

Police said the passenger coach (Lahore-3033) had been hired by unidentified persons from Swabi bus stand 10 days ago.

Later, the driver and the helper were made hostage by the kidnappers. The kidnappers demanded Rs1.2 million from the owner of the coach Mohammad Iqbal.

However, after failure to pay the money, the kidnappers refused to release the vehicle or set free the kidnapped men, driver Mohammad Zahid and helper Mushtaq Khan, both residents of Gohati village.

Later, the police said the kidnappers killed the two men in Dir. The bodies would reach here soon, the police added.—Correspondent

Scores held in search operation

LAKKI MARWAT, Jan 16: Police claimed on Monday to have arrested scores of proclaimed offenders and suspects during search operation in different parts of the district.

An official said DPO Gulzar Ali Khan had formed special teams backed by armoured personnel carriers to take part in the operation against criminal gangs. He said the law enforcers destroyed several hideouts of the outlaws in different localities and arrested 47 proclaimed absconders.

The official said the arrested men were wanted by police in murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and other cases of heinous nature. He said police also rounded up 139 suspects during the search operation and shifted them to different police stations.Police seized 5 Kalashnikovs, 6 rifles, 17 shotguns, 20 pistols, 874 cartridges, 4,555 grams hashish and a small quantity of heroin.—Correspondent

JUI-F prepares for elections

SWABI, Jan 16: Over 20 JUI-F activists have applied for award of tickets for next elections on two National Assembly and six provincial assembly seats.

This was informed at a meeting of the party held here on Monday. The meeting was presided over by former provincial education minister Maulana Fazal Ali.

The two National Assembly seats are NA-12 (Swabi-I) and NA-13 (Swabi-II), while the provincial assembly constituencies are: KP-31 (Swabi-I), KP-32 (Swabi-II), KP-33 (Swabi-III), KP-34 (Swabi-IV), KP-35 (Swabi-V) and KP-36 (Swabi-VI).

Sources said the participants also unanimously presented the name of the provincial finance secretary Noor Islam for the senate seat, appealing to the central leaders for giving due share to the district in the upcoming senate election. Mr Islam belongs to Zaida city of the district.

When contacted Mr Fazal Ali told this correspondent that the party was finalising the names of the candidates for the elections, which he predicted could occur in ‘near future’.—Correspondent

Girls excel in varsity exams

MANSEHRA, Jan 16: The girl students clinched top three positions in MA Islamyat result announced by the Hazara University here on Monday.

As many as 1,658 male and female candidates appeared in the final year examination. Overall result remained 43 per cent.

Naheed Bibi of Haripur with 871 marks clinched the top position followed by Samina Gul, also of Haripur, with 838 marks. Sannum Hafiz of Abbottabad bagged third position with 837 marks.—Correspondent

Musharraf’s decision welcomed

CHITRAL, Jan 16: The elders of different valleys of Chitral have welcomed the decision of former president Gen (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf to contest elections from Chitral in the forthcoming general election. They said the people of Chitral will vote for their ‘benefactor’ who built Lowari tunnel for them.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Sultanuddin, Siddique Ahmed, Nazeneen Shah, Shahabuddin and others said Mr Musharraf initiated work on Lowari tunnel to provide them with an all-weather road access and open new avenues of development for them.

They said the people of Chitral will never forget the former general who had given due priority to this neglected and backward district and launched many projects like Gilgit-Chitral road via Shandur Pass, Atahk irrigation channel and suspension bridge in Mastuj.

They said Mr Musharraf will win the election with thumping majority.—Correspondent

Death anniversaries

PESHAWAR, Jan 16: Pakhtuns Students Federation (PkSF) has finalised preparations for ensuring participation of maximum students in a grand public meeting to be held at Tehmas Khan Football Ground on Jan 26 to observe the death anniversaries of Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan) and Abdul Wali Khan.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Monday the PkSF Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Majid Khan said the students would come to the venue in processions from different districts. He said a number of senior party leaders, including ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan, will address the pubic meeting.

The PkSF central president Bashir Sherpao said the anniversaries would be observed in different parts of the country in a befitting manner to recall the services of the great Pakhtun leaders.

He said thousands of students from different districts, including Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Buner, would attend the event.—Bureau Report