High-achievers honoured

SWABI, April 1: Special functions were organised in around 1,200 government-run educational institutions of Swabi district to honour students, who performed well in annual examinations.

Awards, trophies and cash prizes were given to high-achievers to encourage them so that they keep up the good work.

However, no financial support from the government was extended for the functions with the schools managing money for them from own resources or engaging pubic welfare organisations and philanthropists.

The Jamalabad Welfare Association (Jawa) organised such functions in Government Middle School for Boys, Government Middle School for Girls, Government Primary School for Girls and two primary schools for boys, where students with top positions in examinations were given trophies, cash prizes, uniforms, admission fee and free notebooks.

JWA president Abdul Hakim told Dawn the organisation was helping poor students get education at government schools, which needed great attention of government and private organisations for managing their affairs.—Correspondent

Student commits suicide

TIMERGARA, April 1: A 5th grade student of government primary school Manyal in Maidan identified as Habibullah, son of Syed Bacha, ended his life by taking poisonous substances on Sunday, residents told Dawn.

They said the student was upset after the school administration declared him failed in annual examination on March 31. Residents said he had also failed the 5th class examination last year.

Father of the student was a labourer and had been abroad for earning livelihood for his family, residents said.—Correspondent

POL price hike condemned

MARDAN, April 1: The Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has hit out at the government for increasing the prices of gas and petroleum products while terming it a drone attack over the poverty-hit people.

After an emergency meeting of the MCCI called in the wake of the increase in the prices of gas and petroleum products, its president Hafiz Mohammad Shoaib and vice-president Malik Qazi told Dawn the rulers had failed to even provide the poor people with basic necessities of life.

They alleged the government had no interest in resolving the problems of masses rather it had been protecting the interests of the rich.

They said the price hike would not only send the daily-use commodities out of reach of the masses but also pave way for a bloody revolution in the country.

They feared that POL price hike would slow down business activities across the country.—Correspondent

School rehabilitated

PESHAWAR, April 1: To provide quality education to children of remote and backward localities, the government has completed rehabilitation of government primary school in Majal village of Bajaur Agency by providing necessary equipments and furniture.

Officials in Fata civil secretariat told APP on Sunday that 67-meter-long boundary wall, 30-meter-long retaining wall and two washrooms had been constructed in government primary school located Barang tehsil.

Similarly, two water tanks and two steel cupboards were installed in the school. Flooring, white washing and electrification work have also been completed in the school to provide better learning environment to the students.

This scheme will benefit more than 350 students and ten teachers of the school.—APP

Road inaugurated

PESHAWAR, April 1: Chairman of the District Development Advisory Committee (DDAC) MPA Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha on Sunday inaugurated Darbor Shah-Usmani Khel Road completed at cost of Rs9.2 million.

Speaking on the occasion, the MPA said the construction of the road was longstanding demand of the people of Malakand. He said promoting positive and healthy politics was his mission as he believed in service of masses.

The MPA said people had always rejected politics of discrimination and favoritism.

He said development of Malakand division was his top priority and urged all stakeholders to continue efforts till rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure.

Mr Bacha said people of Malakand in general and of Swat in particular had paid unmatched sacrificed for the defense of the country and focus should be to put the region on track to progress and development.—APP

House looted

MANSEHRA, April 1: Armed robbers deprived a family of gold, foreign and local currency and other valuables worth Rs800,000 in Darra area on Saturday night.

A group of armed robbers barged into the house of Mohammad Ashraf, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, and decamped with local and Saudi currency, gold ornaments, wrist watches and mobile sets after holding family members hostage at gunpoint. The police after lodging FIR started investigation.

Mohammad Ashraf told reporters that robbers threatened his family of dire consequences if they put up resistance. The family of Mohammad Ashraf had shifted here from Jarad area of Balakot following October 2005 earthquake.—Correspondent