Economic activity in Fata

PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has urged the business community to help generate economic activities in Fata to create employment opportunities for youth.

This he said while talking to a delegation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its president Dr Mohammad Yousaf Sarwar at the Governor House on Thursday. Malik Iftikhar Ahmad Awan, senior vice-president and Mohammad Haneef, vice-president of the chamber were also present.

The governor highlighted the importance of the chamber towards generating economic activities and social uplift of the people and appreciated its services in fulfilling its responsibilities despite difficulties. He said the process for widening and improvement of Peshawar-Torkham Road would be launched shortly. — Bureau Report

Two hurt in cylinder blast

SWABI, Oct 25: Two employees of Bacha Khan Medical Complex Shahmansoor were critically injured in a gas cylinder blast inside the children ward of the hospital here on Thursday.

Hospital sources said the injured were ward attendants. They were busy in work inside the children ward when the cylinder exploded. Both were critically injured. They were identified as Faqir Mohammad and Asfandyar Khan.

They were admitted to the hospital but doctors said due to their serious condition they might be referred to Peshawar. Eyewitnesses said the blast created panic among the patients and their attendants and many patients left the wards and moved out into the open. — Correspondent

NGO to distribute meat

PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Ummah Welfare Trust will distribute meat of over 3,000 animals among the calamity-hit people, orphans, internally displaced persons, widows and other needy people in parts of Pakistan.

According to a spokesman of the trust Sher Ali Khan, the animals would be slaughtered at the central slaughter house at Nowshera and every family would get five kilogram pack in different districts, including Mansehra, Swat, Dir, Charsadda and other areas. The distribution process in far flung areas would be started after freezing the meat in the freezing plant at Nowshera. — Bureau Report

Strengthening political culture

PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has said the support of political parties for consolidating political culture in Fata is of great importance.

“I have contacts with all the political forces for ensuring smooth continuity of political activities in Fata, which are also accruing positive results,” he said.

Talking to a delegation comprising office-bearers and workers of PML-Q, which called on him at Governor House on Thursday, the governor said the input being given by the political forces was of great help and he would always welcome their positive suggestions.  The delegation was led by provincial secretary general of the party Intikhab Khan Chamkani. — Bureau Report

Working for women welfare

PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development Sitara Ayaz have agreed to work jointly for welfare of women in KP and Fata.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Thursday with the chamber president Dr Mohammad Yousuf in the chair.

Dr Yousuf stressed the need that the social welfare department should play its effective role for development of the socio-economic conditions of the women. He said before adaptation of any policy regarding women development the women chamber of commerce and industry should be taken into confidence. He suggested that a committee should be formed to help guide the women in taking loans from different banks on easy installments. — Bureau Report

Court orders hailed

MARDAN, Oct 25: People have expressed satisfaction and relief over the Peshawar High Court’s verdict regarding stoppage of illegal export and smuggling of poultry and cattle to Afghanistan. They said the verdict had greatly helped in reducing prices of animals and chicken.

Abdullah Khan, a poultry seller, told Dawn, “The court has proved to be a blessing for the poor as its order has given relief to the poor.

Bashir Adil, a university student, told this scribe the price of chicken ranged between Rs250 to Rs350 per kg before the PHC verdict, but now the same was available Rs150 to Rs210 per kg. Likewise, after the court directive, the price of per animal has decreased by Rs8,000 to Rs10,000. — Correspondent

Tribes asked to help polio teams

KHAR, Oct 25: Assistant political agent Bajaur Agency Jahangir Azam has urged the tribesmen to continue supporting the health teams during the anti-polio campaigns to help eradicate the crippling disease from the region.

This he said while addressing a ceremony held in connection with the World Polio Day on Thursday.

Tribal elders, social workers, officials of health department and representatives of WHO and Unicef attended the ceremony. Jahangir Azam said eradicating polio from Pakistan was a national goal. He asked the elders and ulema to extend support to the health teams to wipe out the disease from the agency. Later, a walk was organised to raise awareness about polio. — Correspondent

Police ‘framing’ innocent people

PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Former MNA and leader of Jamaat-i-Islami from Chitral Maulana Abdul Akbar has accused the district administration of arresting the people for raising voice against the illegal cutting of forests in the district.Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, he said the people holding protest demonstrations against the timber mafia had been declared criminals. He alleged the local administration had used force against peaceful demonstrators, who had done nothing wrong but raised voice against the growing deforestation.

He said the police had sprung into action just before Eidul Azha to fleece the poor villagers, demanding of chief minister and high court chief justice to take notice of the matter. — Bureau Report