Man shoots parents dead

TIMERGARA, May 29: A young man allegedly shot dead his parents over a dispute at Ajdaray village of Toor Mang Darra on Wednesday.

Police and residents said the accused, Sher Amin, took a gun and fired upon his father and mother after exchanging hot words with them. They died on the spot. The accused escaped the area.

The Khall police started search to trace the accused after registering a case against him. —Correspondent

Three children die of measles

GHALANAI, May 29: Three children died and several others were seriously affected due to measles breakout in remote areas of Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

Residents said measles killed a four-year-old boy and affected several other children in Karkani village.

Haji Bakht, a local resident, told Dawn on phone that 10 more children had been affected by measles in Ghandigar, Karkana, Lakro and other remote areas of Safi.

They demanded of the government to immediately send medical teams to the area to treat the children. —Correspondent

Two-day academic expo

MINGORA, May 29: A two-day academic expo was opened at the University of Swat here on Wednesday. Peshawar University vice chancellor Dr Rasool Jan inaugurated the event.

University of Swat vice chancellor Dr Jahanzeb Khan and faculty members were also in attendance.

Students of 11 public and private universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa put on display different stalls to promote local culture and showcase their academic excellence Stalls of creative arts, environmental and science projects, computer software, food and traditional garments had been set up at the exposition.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rasool Jan said extracurricular activities helped students polish their talent. He said universities should impart education to students relevant to future needs of society.

Mr Jan said to promote higher education the universities should seek support of people. —Correspondent

Poppy destroyed in Dir

UPPER DIR, May 29: An operation was launched in Wari subdivision on Wednesday to destroy poppy crop, officials told Dawn. They said the action was ordered by Upper Dir deputy commissioner Abid Khan Wazir in hilly areas of Wari.

Wari additional assistant commissioner Ziaur Rahman along with police and levies personnel destroyed the crop in different villages of Nehag Darra.

Officials said poppy grown on about 500 kanals was destroyed.

Later, talking to journalists, Mr Rahman said the operation would continue till the area was cleared of poppy. He said the people who cultivated poppy would be dealt with according to law. He said the crop was destroyed at Abla Karpat, Karpat and Asman Banda. —Correspondent

PPP-SB leader joins PTI

PESHAWAR, May 29: Pakistan People’s Party-Shaheed Bhutto provincial senior vice president Shabaz Khan on Wednesday joined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, he said ruling parties in the previous government had failed to materialise their manifestoes.

He said credit went to PTI for holding intra-party elections and giving chance to workers to choose leaders of their choice and play role in strengthening democracy in the country.

“I will play my role against corruption, exploitation and injustices,” said Mr Shabaz. —Bureau Report

Development schemes

KHAR, May 29: Bajaur Political Agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah on Wednesday directed line departments to ensure early completion of the ongoing development schemes in the agency.

He issued the orders during a meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Shah said the administration was committed to rebuilding the infrastructure badly damaged during militancy in the agency. He said providing modern civic facilities to people was top priority of his administration.

Senior officials of line departments briefed the political agent about the developmental projects being executed in the agency.

The political agent asked the officials to accelerate work on the schemes. He also took serious notice of complaints about use of substandard material in various road projects.

He asked officials to devise a proper monitoring system to ensure use of quality material in the projects. He said action would be taken if any official was found involved in any wrongdoing. —Correspondent