KHAR: Tribesmen of Barang tehsil here agreed on Tuesday to destroy poppy crop in their area after the administration assured them of provision of basic facilities of life.

A decision to this effect was taken at a jirga, which was also attended by officials of the local administration, including political agent Mohammad Yahya Akhunzada.

The elders said they were forced to grow poppy for earning livelihoods as they had not been provided with basic facilities.

The elders complained about lack of health, education, communication and drinking water facilities in the region. They observed that Barang was one of the most backward areas of the agency.

They asked the officials to take concrete steps to provide basic facilities to the area.

On the occasion, Mr Akhunzada said that the administration was aware of the problems of Barang tribe and that huge funds had been allocated for several new public welfare schemes in the area under the current Annual Development Programme.

He said the projects included establishment of several branches of Governor’s Model Schools, green Barang project and construction of a highway from Khar to Dargai that would pass through Barang area.

Mr Akhunzada said that destruction of poppy crop in the area was the need of the hour as the government had already banned growing poppy in all over the country, including the tribal areas.

He appreciated the elders for their decision to unconditionally destroy poppy crop in their areas.

It was decided that the drive to eradicate poppy would begin from Friday.

MEDICAL CAMPS: The local health department has set up medical camps in various areas of Salarzai tehsil to treat people affected by leishmaniasis disease.

Shoaib Khan, an official of health department, told Dawn on Tuesday that they had expedited efforts to ensure treatment of the affected people.

He said that the medical camps had been set up in Kohi, Taly, Darra and other areas. He admitted that a large number of people, most of them children, were affected by leishmaniasis disease.

However, the official said that the disease was not in chronic stage and would be controlled.

He said that leishmaniasis was parasitic disease that was mostly found in hilly areas.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2015

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