LHWs not to attend polio drive

NOWSHERA, Dec 30: Lady health workers announced on Sunday not to carry out anti-polio campaign in Nowshera district in view of the attacks on vaccinators.

They took the decision after a meeting with district coordination officer Ghulam Mohammad Chitrali and health department officials.

District president of lady health workers Ms Zakia Khan said they were not ready to send female workers to field without ensuring adequate security to them. She demanded of the government to launch inquiry against those officials who had termed attack on a lady health worker at Behram Kaly in Risalpur as a result of an old enmity.

Ms Zakia demanded of the government to arrest the culprits who attacked the field workers. She also rejected appeal of the government to launch another anti-polio campaign in Jalozai camp.

However, DCO Ghulam Mohammad vowed to launch anti-polio campaign in the district soon by providing foolproof security to vaccinators.—Correspondent

New Year celebrations

PESHAWAR, Dec 30: The local chapters of JI and Shabab-i-Milli on Sunday staged a protest demonstration against the New Year celebrations.

Holding banners and party flags, large number of activists gathered on Sher Shah Suri Road and shouted slogans against celebrations on New Year night.

Addressing the protesters, JI naib amir Sirajul Haq said New Year celebrations were nothing but vulgarity and the JI would not tolerate it. He termed such celebrations as un-Islamic and asked the authorities to stop these activities.

Mr Siraj accused the electronic media of motivating the new generation to celebrate the New Year in ‘vulgar ways’. “Elite class should donate the money spent lavishly for ameliorating the lot of the poor,” he demanded.

He criticised the ANP government for planning to purchase the Dilip Kumar House in Peshawar at a heavy price and asked for renovating historical Masjid Mohabbat Khan with the money.—Bureau Report  

Swabi alliance leader resigns  

SWABI, Dec 30: Salman Wali, a businessman and one of the pioneers of Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP) has tendered resignation from the party along with his colleagues and supporters.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, Mr Wali, who hails from Kalu Khan village, and is relative of the AJIP chairman Shahram Khan Tarakai, said the party didn’t abide by the promises made when it was launched. He said undemocratic decisions were imposed on workers and leaders, forcing him to resign.

He said his decision to contest election from the PK-33 was unchanged, and added he would join any party after consultation with my supporters.

Observers termed the resignation of Mr Wali a setback for the Shahram Khan's family, which plans to contest elections from all the national and provincial assembly seats in the district.—Correspondent  

Health centre rehabilitated  

KHAR, Dec 30: Bajaur Agency assistant political agent Sohail Ahmad Khan on Sunday said the administration had been providing basic health care facilities to the people of militancy affected area of the agency.

He said the administration with the help of an international organisation would soon launch rehabilitation of several health units destroyed by the militants.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of the newly reconstructed community health centre (CHC) in Hilal Khail Charmang area of Nawagi tehsil.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of tribesmen and members of the local peace committee.

APA Sohail Khan said the administration was making hectic efforts to provide basic needs to the militancy affected areas. He said the administration with the support of an international organisation had launched dozens of rehabilitation schemes in militancy-hit areas. He added more projects will be started soon.—Correspondent

Tribute to Bashir Bilour

KOHAT, Dec 30: ANP MNA Khursheed Begum has paid rich tribute to the slain senior minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour.

She was speaking at a mourning ceremony held in the memory of Bashir Ahmed Bilour and others killed in the suicide blast, here on Sunday.

ANP provincial joint secretary Khurshid Khattak, district president Syed Saeed Shah Bokhari, former district president Inayat Qureshi and others attended the function held at the hujra of Saeed Shah advocate. MNA Khursheed Begum said Bashir Ahmed Bilour would be remembered for a long time for his services and sacrifice for the country.

She said ANP took over reigns of power when the whole country was engulfed with terrorism, adding the workers and leaders of the party sacrificed their lives to wrest the province back from the hold of terrorists and establish peace. She resolved that fight against militants would continue till last worker of ANP was alive.—Correspondent   

Aiding anti-polio efforts

PESHAWAR, Dec 30: Rotaract Club of the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar organised a cricket tournament at Islamia University Peshawar the other day.

Teams of Rotaract Club, Islamia University, Peshawar University and Islamia College participated in the event.

The purpose of the event was to raise funds to support Rotary’s mission of ‘End Polio’ and to create awareness among the people about the importance of making Pakistan polio free. The Rotaract Club received an overwhelming response from participants and supporters.

The club members raised an amount of Rs25,000 from the students and teachers of Islamia College, Islamia University and UET Peshawar.

The chief guest and acting vice chancellor of Islamia College University Dr Noor Jahan also announced a donation of Rs10,000.—Bureau Report

MYC elects office-bearers

PESHAWAR, Dec 30: JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Sheikh Amanullah and JI chief Prof Mohammad Ibrahim were elected as president and general secretary of Milli Yakjehti Council (MYC), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively, on Sunday.

Elections were held at Al Markaz-i-Islami. Sources said that differences between JUI-F and JI marred the election process as MYC central general secretary Hafiz Hussain Ahmad threatened to resign from the post if the slot of the president was not given to JUI-F.

Insiders said after discussion voting was held and Prof Ibrahim was elected president of the council. However, leaders of the JUI refused to accept results. Later, Pro Ibrahim voluntarily withdrew in favour of Maulana Amanullah and accepted post of general secretary for himself.—Bureau Report  

Afghan with fake currency held

LANDI KOTAL, Dec 30: The border guards at the Torkham border on Sunday arrested an Afghan national Naqeebullah and seized fake currency from his possession.

Also at the border, an unidentified person was hit and killed by a trailer. The body was shifted to local hospital for identification.—Correspondent