Tribesman shot dead

LANDI KOTAL, Dec 16: Unidentified gunmen killed a local tribesman while a motorcycle rider was injured due to firing by the security forces in Bara on Sunday.

Official sources said Akhtar Sher, resident of Malikdin Khel, was killed on the spot when he was fired at by unidentified gunmen near Musafir graveyard in Shalobar area minutes before evening prayers. Motive behind the killing could not be known.

In Bar Qambarkhel area of Bara, security forces opened fire on a local resident riding a motorcycle when the rider refused to stop after he was warned by the personnel that he was violating curfew restrictions. Local sources said forces took injured Mohammad Bilal into custody.—Correspondent

Five militants arrested

KHAR, Dec 16: The security forces with the help of local peace committee arrested five militants and recovered arms during a search operation in different parts of Salarzai and Mamond tehsils of Bajaur Agency on Sunday. Houses of two alleged militants were also demolished.

According to officials, the security forces had received information about the presence of militants in various border villages of Salarzai and Mamond. They said the security forces and volunteers launched a joint search operation in the areas.

An official told reporters at Khar five militants were arrested while large quantity of weapons and explosive devices was also recovered. He said the houses of two militants were also demolished. Meanwhile, elders and members of peace committee of Salarzai tribe on Sunday assured the local administration of continued support for restoring peace in their area.—Correspondent

Workshop for journalists

PESHAWAR, Dec 16: Participants at training workshop for media persons on Sunday asked journalists to report in conflict zones objectively and ensure their own safety.

According to a press release issued here, the special training was organised to equip media men with skills to ensure personal safety while working in the conflict areas.

The training programme was organised by Individual Land Pakistan under Conflict Reporting and Strengthening of Democracy through Responsible Journalism with the support of The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Journalists were also briefed on measures for protection along with reporting independently on the conflict. Journalists also called for effective mechanism to ensure them job security, timely payment of salaries as well as protection.—Bureau Report

Snow-hit roads

ABBOTTABAD, Dec 16: The main road from Abbottabad to Murree is closed at various points for the last four days due to heavy snowfall in Galyat.

At least two to three feet snow has been recorded in Nathiagali, Ayubia, Donga Gali, Changla Gali and Thandiyani. All branch roads in the entire Galyat are closed due to the snow. But only one snow clearing machine has been working to remove the snow from the roads.

Due to closure of roads, the residents have been facing an acute shortage of firewood and LPG.

Sardar Mohammad Shafiq, a local journalist, told this correspondent the people were restricted to their homes due to the roads’ closure. He said the roads in Koza Gali, Ayubia, Riyala, Nathiagali to Kohala and Bakot, Changal Gali to Ziyarat Masoom, Bara Gali to Cheer, Namli Mera and Thandiyani to Pattan Kalan were closed.—Correspondent

Mansehra bar elections

MANSEHRA, Dec 16: Munir Hussain Lughmani and Tanveer Ahmad Deen have been elected as president and general secretary of district bar association, respectively.

The elections were held on Saturday and results were announced late in the night. Shujaat Ali Khan advocate, the election committee chairman, told reporters total 323 votes out of 345 were polled.

He said Munir Lughmani got 223 votes and was elected president of the bar for year 2013 while his rival candidate Malik Abdul Qudus secured 88 votes. Mr Khan said Shafqat Iqbal got 160 votes and was elected vice-president while his rival Shafiqur Rehman secured 151 votes.

Tanveer Ahmad Deen got 185 votes and was elected secretary general of the association while his rival contender Babar Ali got 130 votes. Shafiqur Rehman and Mohammad Nauman have already been elected joint secretary and librarian unopposed, respectively.—Correspondent

Declamation contest

NOWSHERA, Dec 16: The Government College University Lahore won the All Pakistan Bilingual Declamation Contest held at PAF Academy Risalpur.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt was the chief guest on the occasion. The talented youth from 45 premier institutions of Pakistan participated in the two-day contest, according to a press release on Sunday.

First prize in English declamation was awarded to Syeda Bareeha Fatima of Kinniard College for Women Lahore, whereas the second prize went to Hamza Ishtiaq of PMA Kakul. In Urdu debate, the first prize was awarded to Zahid Ali of Government College University Lahore and second was given to Hasan Hameed of NORE-I, Beharia College, Karachi.

The declamation contest has been a regular feature on the academic training calendar of PAF Academy since 1974.—Correspondent  

Players demand facilities

LAKKI MARWAT, Dec 16: Office-bearers of district sports associations have demanded of the local administration to pay heed to the problems of players and provide them with facilities to promote sports activities in the district.

They met DCO Nisar Ahmad at Tajazai the other day and apprised him about the problems of players. District sports officer Shafqatullah Khan was also present.

Those who met DCO included Masood Khan of district cricket association, Nasrullah Khan of football association, Shah Jee of volleyball association, Gul Ajab of kabbadi association, Habibullah of basketball association and Anwar Khan of district badminton association.

The DCO assured that besides sponsoring sports tournaments the district administration would make all out efforts to provide youths especially players with opportunities of taking part in sports events and other healthy activities.—Correspondent

Loadshedding irks residents

LAKKI MARWAT, Dec 16: Residents of Lakki city and adjacent rural localities have expressed resentment over prolonged power outages and demanded of authorities concerned to stop loadshedding forthwith.

Talking to this correspondent they said the urban and rural localities had been hit hard by outages since last several weeks making their lives miserable. “The long durations of power breakdowns are intolerable for us,” they maintained. A retired college teacher Haji Zarwali Khan Abakhel said electricity loadshedding was being carried out without any justification. He accused local Pesco officials of carrying out loadshedding on their own.—Correspondent