Cylinder blast injures 10

PARACHINAR, Oct 2: Ten displaced persons, including four children, were wounded when a gas cylinder exploded in New Durrani Camp here on Tuesday, officials said.

The family was cooking meal when gas cylinder exploded and the tent caught fire. The blast caused burn injuries to 10 people, including four children and a woman, who were shifted to agency headquarters hospital in Parachinar.

Meanwhile, a vehicle was blown up in Sadda town. Officials said that the owner of the vehicle Imran Khan parked his car near vegetable market in the town and went to nearby hotel when explosion occurred. No casualty was reported. —Correspondent

Increase in cancer patients

KARAK, Oct 2: The people of union council Guddikhel have complained that the incidence of cancer is growing in the area due to consumption of contaminated water.

The leaders of a committee of the local community, including Aziz Khan, Malik Matiullah Jan, Malik Ghalib Shah, Shaheenullah and Abdul Ghafoor, told reporters on Tuesday about 50 cases of cancer had been detected in the area during the past few years, adding the fatal disease was spreading fast in the area.

They said they had got examined the drinking water of the area in a laboratory in Peshawar and the test proved that the water was totally unfit for human consumption and was contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

They demanded of the government to get the water samples tested in a government laboratory and provide drinking water to the area people from alternative sources. —Correspondent

Fresh polio cases in Bajaur

KHAR, Oct 2: Political Agent, Bajaur Agency, Abdul Jabar Shah, on Tuesday expressed concern over polio cases in the agency and urged the officials of health deportment to step up efforts for eradicating the disease in the region.

This he said while speaking at a meeting with the officials of health deportment and representatives of WHO. Officials of local administration were also present.

The PA said administration had concerns about the detection of fresh polio cases in the agency. “We should identify the main causes of these cases,” he said, urging the health officials and the local communities to fully participate in the anti-polio campaigns.

He criticised the WHO representatives for poor coordination with the health deportment as well as with the administration. The participants expressed concern over the performance of surveillance staff and said experts familiar with the situation, traditions and mindset of the tribesmen should be appointed in the agency. —Correspondent

Developing road infrastructure

PESHAWAR, Oct 2: Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti has said quality road infrastructure is backbone of boosting trade and economic activities.

Chairing a meeting at his office on Tuesday, the CM directed Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority and C&W department for increase in pace of work on new and ongoing road projects in the province in order for people to have benefit of these projects.

The meeting was informed that currently there were 35 schemes in progress under PHA, out of which 28 were ongoing and seven were new schemes.

The chief minister said no area could prosper and develop without proper road infrastructure. He lauded efforts of different departments in rehabilitation of flood affected infrastructure, reconstruction and construction work on new and ongoing schemes of the roads. He said use of substandard material will not be allowed. He further directed for effective steps for controlling heavily loaded vehicles that devastated the roads. —Bureau Report   

NCP vehicles’ business

PESHAWAR, Oct 2: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will take action against those involved in the business of non-custom paid vehicles. It directed the law enforcement agencies to take action and stop this illegal practice.

Home and tribal affairs department has asked the provincial police officer, additional chief secretary Fata, collector customs and director FIA to take appropriate action to stop this illegal practice as it was assuming scandalous proportions.

“Authentic reports have been received from various sources that different organisations and departments collaborate in bringing huge number of non-custom paid vehicles of different kinds from Khyber Agency to Peshawar on daily basis,” the statement said. —Bureau Report

Police mobile attacked

BANNU, Oct 2: Miscreants fired on a police mobile van in limits of Bakakhel police station on the night between Monday and Tuesday. However, no casualty was reported.

A police mobile party led by ASI Asmatullah Khan was on routine patrol at Bakakhel area when they came under fire. The accused managed to escape by taking advantage of darkness.

Police on the report of ASI Asmatullah Khan registered FIR against accused Sohail and his other five accomplices and started investigation.—APP

Lawyers role in masses’ uplift

PESHAWAR, Oct 2: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has stressed the need for more effective role of the lawyers community in promoting awareness among the people in ensuring their socio-economic well-being.

Talking to a delegation of lawyers from Malakand which called on him at Governor House, he said the role of lawyers community was of great importance in social uplift of the people, as apart from their effective contribution in dispensation of justice, they could also help in promoting spirit of accommodation among masses and ensuring rule of law and justice.

Provincial Minister for Finance Mohammad Hamayoun Khan was also present.

The governor also appreciated the spirit of lawyers towards their professional responsibilities. He also assured every possible support in improving their working conditions.—APP

KMU to set up new institute

PESHAWAR, Oct 2: The academic council of the Khyber Medical University (KMU) on Tuesday decided to set up Institute of Paramedical Science (IPS) for launching four years paramedics' course to provide quality education to students in diversified fields.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the academic council chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Hafizullah Khan.

Quality facilities would be available to students at IPS and it would open up new avenues for health education, said Mr Hafizullah, while speaking at the meeting. He said IPS had been established on temporary basis in the building of Public Health and Social Sciences and later separate building would be acquired for it.

The council also approved new name for Institute of Health Profession Education as Institute of Health Professional Education and Research.—APP