Pashto poetry session

LANDI KOTAL, April 28: The Khyber Agency unit of the Tribal Union of Journalists organised a Pashto poetry session at the mausoleum of noted poet Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari here on Sunday.

A number of local journalists, poets and writers attended the literary moot which was aimed at promoting peace in the tribal areas and harmony among the contesting candidates for the coming elections.

Sajid Ali, president TUJ Khyber unit, said holding of the mushaira was also aimed at providing an opportunity to the local journalists to take some time of their pressing engagements and indulge in some light entertainment as there were very limited or no sources of entertainment for them in their respective tribal regions. Ali Shinwari, secretary general of the union, said more such events will be organised in future for which he sought assistance of local administration and the political organisations to bring about a positive and healthy change in the tribal society.—Correspondent

Orphans get cheques

MANSEHRA, April 28: Al-Khidmat Foundation on Sunday distributed cheques among 50 orphans to help them continue their education.

A cheque of Rs7,200 was given away to each orphan by Younus Khattak, district amir of Jamaat-i-Islami, at a ceremony held here at the AKF secretariat.

Beside others district president of the foundation Dr Shoib Hashmi and general secretary Masood Bajori were also present. Mr Khattak said the AKF will continue to help the victims of the October 8, 2005 earthquake until the last deserving person needing help was covered. He said cheques were distributed under orphan care programme and money would be spent on the education of these orphans. He said so far AKF, Mansehra chapter, had provided the monthly stipend to more than 75 orphan students. —Correspondent

Power transformer set on fire

KARAK, April 28: Unidentified miscreants set on fire the power transformer of a private drinking water supply scheme at Isak Chountra of Karak, creating severe shortage of water in the locality.

Owner of the tube-well Ishaq Khattak told a press conference here on Sunday that the miscreants dismantled the power transformer during the night and set it on fire. He said they had lodged FIR with the Karak police station about the incident, but the police were not cooperating with them to trace the culprits. He said many power transformers of tube-wells and domestic use had been stolen by a gang of robbers, but the police had failed to arrest them. He demanded of the district police officer to take notice of the situation and ensure the arrest of the culprits.—Correspondent

Coordination committee

PESHAWAR, April 28: The home and tribal affairs department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has constituted a project coordination committee to keep liaison with other stakeholders in development activities.

The committee would be responsible to coordinate all activities relating to respective departments. The committee would keep liaison between the provincial government and DFID, besides conducting reviews, analysis under the programme and report it to the steering committee for decision making, according to a handout issued on Sunday. The coordination committee would also be competent to resolve any issue arising out of implementation and execution of the projects.—Bureau Report

Blasts condemned

PESHAWAR, April 28: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Information and Public Relations Mussarat Qadeem expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives and property in Charssada and Kohat attacks.

In a condolence message on Sunday, the minister expressed sympathy and solidarity with the affected families and said the government had devised comprehensive plans to further enhance the security situation in the province.

She said police, FC and other law enforcement have been working in coordination to ensure holding of upcoming general elections in peaceful, free and transparent way.—Bureau Report

Women asked to cast vote

LAKKI MARWAT, April 28: ANP former female MPA Yasmeen Zia has called upon the women to use their right to vote in the general elections to elect honest representatives.

This she said while speaking at public meetings in Kot Kashmir, Serai Naurang, Kotka Rozi Khan and Michenkhel on Sunday. ANP candidate for NA-27 Malik Ali Sarwar Khan and senior vice president Mumraiz Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Ms Zia said traditional politicians had come to the area to grab votes just to get their vested interests. “They (traditional politicians) did not turn to their area during last fiver years,” she maintained. She claimed her overall performance as a female lawmaker was far better than the male MPs belonging to the district. —Correspondent