MANSEHRA: Parliamentary secretary for textile industry Sarzamin Khan has assured the landowners and affected people of Dasu dam project in Kohistan that the federal government would fulfil its commitment with them and prices of their land would be reviewed in accordance with their demand.

“I have already taken up the issue of land prices being acquired for Dasu dam with the prime minister and I am optimistic that people of Kohistan would get payment according to the market rate of the land,” said Mr Khan while speaking to a delegation of landowners and affected people here on Sunday.

The members of committee of the affected people of Dasu dam met with Mr Khan and apprised him of their reservations about low land prices offered to them. Work on the dam was suspended some four months ago over the same issue.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khan said that the federal government wanted timely completion of 4,230 MW development project and soon the issue of land prices would be settled.

He also asked the local people to show flexibility in their demands.

Parliamentary secretary says landowners to be paid according to market rate

“This dam project is very important for meeting energy needs of the country. The people will also benefit of this project and a new era of development would start in the district once work on the project is completed,” said the parliamentary secretary.

CHILDREN’S RALLY: Small children held a rally here on Sunday to protest against the publication of sacrilegious caricatures in a French magazine.

The rally, which started from Shinkiari road, ended at the Khatma-i-Nabuwat Chowk after marching through various roads.

The young protesters chanted anti-France slogans demanding severe punishment for those who made and published the profane sketches.

They also recited Naats to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

MAN KILLED: One passenger was killed and three others were injured when a man opened firing on a pick-up in Dogha Syedain area of Mansehra district on Sunday.

The pick-up was on its way to Mansehra from Balag when one Salamat Shah allegedly opened fire on it, killing Maqsood Ahmad on the spot.

The accused fled after the incident. The injured were taken to Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad, where condition of two was stated to be serious. They were identified as Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraf.

When contacted, DSP Zulfiqar Jadoon said that accused Salamat Shah was the father of a policeman and they were investigating the case registered with the Sadar police station.

Published in Dawn January 26th , 2015

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