Corporal punishment

LAKKI MARWAT, April 17: The district education officer (male) Haji Meer Azam Khan has appointed two focal persons to implement the ban on corporal punishment in the government boys schools.

An official said on Wednesday the principal of the government centennial model high school for boys, Lakki, Haji Muzammil Khan had been appointed as focal person for the middle, high and higher secondary schools. He said ASDEO primary Abdul Rehman Rashid would work as focal person for primary schools.

“The focal persons will take all measures to implement the ban on corporal punishment in the schools,” he said, adding corporal punishment and torturing of students was strictly banned in the educational institutions. “The teachers if found involved in the illegal practice will face the music,” he warned.

He added appointment of focal persons had been made to facilitate parents to lodge complaints with them about physical punishment of their children by teachers. —Correspondent  

Tribe to ensure peaceful polls

KHAR, April 17: Elders of Salarzai tribe of Bajaur Agency on Wednesday said they will continue cooperation with the administration and the security forces to create peaceful atmosphere for upcoming elections.

The announcement was made during a jirga also attended by officials of local administration and members of peace committees of Salarzai tehsil. The meeting was chaired by assistant political agent Assad Sarwar.

Addressing the jirga, APA Mr Sarwar said the administration was committed to improving law and order which was vital for holding free, fair and transparent elections.

He urged the elders to keep a close watch over the activities of miscreants in the agency to ensure writ of the government. Militants are the enemy of democracy and don’t want to hold the elections in a peaceful environment, maintained the APA. —Correspondent

Driver of excavator killed

TIMERGARA, April 17: An excavator went out of the driver’s control and plunged into a 500 feet deep ravine at Utala Dushkhel on Wednesday while at work at a hilly area. The driver identified as Ziaur Rahman, 18, resident of Dherai Talash, was killed on the spot, local residents told Dawn. Sources said the excavator was levelling path for a link road when it skidded off a rock and plunged into deep ravine.

Eyewitnesses said the driver tried to jump down but failed. Meanwhile, father of the driver, who is also a labourer, fainted after he was informed about the accident. The deceased had married a year ago and had been working on the excavator for the last three years. —Correspondent  

Uplift projects in Fata

PESHAWAR, April 17: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engr Shaukatullah has directed the Fata Secretariat to ensure timely completion of the ongoing projects.

He asked the officials of the concerned departments not to compromise on quality of work, otherwise, they would be held responsible.

He was presiding over a high level meeting at Governor House on Wednesday wherein pace of progress on developmental projects in Fata was reviewed.

The governor also stressed to give extra care in preparation of feasibility studies of any project. He also stressed giving priority to improve infrastructure facilities in Fata.

Earlier, a delegation of doctors, representing Specialist Doctors Association, also called on the governor and apprised him of the healthcare facilities being offered as well as certain deficiencies in this respect.

The governor assured to take steps to resolve the problems. He also advised the doctors to ensure efficient working of their respective health institutions. —Bureau Report  

Building tolerance in students

PESHAWAR, April 17: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Information, Public Relations and Education Mussarrat Qadeem has asked the teachers to build the habit of tolerance in their students to make them peaceful citizens.

This she said while addressing a seminar on “basic education community schools” organised by the Women Human Rights Organisation at Frontier College for Women in Peshawar on Wednesday. Chairperson of the organisation Ms Farhat was also present.

The minister said acquiring education was incumbent upon every Muslim, man or woman. She regretted that women education was under threat in the region.

She said education was the basic need of every society, adding the government aimed at promoting education in the society. She appreciated the role of Non-Formal Basic Education Schools Project and the National Commission for Human Development for their roles in this regard. —Bureau Report  

Outlaws arrested in Swabi

SWABI, April 17: The police claimed arresting about 75 proclaimed offenders in different parts of the district during the last two weeks.

Superintendent of Police Dr Mian Mohammad Saeed said the police also recovered different kinds of automatic arms from their possession. He said 28 Kalashnikovs, 29 Kalakovs, 17 rifles, 22 single barrel guns, 186 pistols and 9,846 cartridges were recovered.

He said the police also seized 18.39 kilograms charas, 1.47kg heroin and some bottles of wine from the outlaws. The police have registered cases against the POs under the relevant law. —Correspondent  

‘N’, JI agree on seat adjustment

BANNU, April 17: PML-N and JI on Wednesday agreed on seat adjustment on NA-26 and PK-70 in Bannu district.Under the agreement, JI candidate Prof Mohammad Ibrahim and PML-N nominee Malik Nasir Khan will contest elections from NA-26 and PK-70 seats, respectively.

JI provincial chief and a candidate from NA-26 Prof Ibrahim, addressing a press conference here, said JI held meetings with different political parties except PPP and ANP for seat adjustment on national and provincial assembly seats in the district.

Prof Ibrahim said he would withdraw his nomination papers from PK-70 in favour of PML-N candidate Malik Nasir Khan. Speaking on the occasion, Malik Nasir said PML-N and JI will jointly struggle for the rights of masses.—APP

PST candidate withdraws

PESHAWAR, April 17: Pakistan Sunni Tehrik (PST) candidate from PK-2 Inamaullah Qadri on Wednesday announced withdrawing from election race in favour of candidate of Qaumi Watan Party Malik Sher Bahadar Khan.

Announcing his decision at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, he said the purpose behind his withdrawal was to strengthen democracy, bring stability and ensure peace in the province.

Inamullah Qadri said the terrorist attack on a public meeting of ANP had exposed the real faces of evil forces, who do not want political stability and peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said terrorists were trying to disrupt election process by attacking political workers and public meetings. He said all conspiracies against elections will be foiled and no one will be allowed to derail democratic process in the country. —APP