QWP invited to APC

PESHAWAR, Feb 8: The Awami National Party has formally invited Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) leadership to participate in its all parties’ conference on terrorism.

A delegation of ANP headed by its provincial president Senator Afrasiyab Khattak met QWP chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao at his residence here on Friday. Senator Zahid Khan, Senator Daud Khan and MNA Bushra Gauhar also accompanied Mr Khattak, says a press release.

Leaders of both the parties discussed current issues in a very cordial atmosphere. Mr Sherpao said that terrorism had become an international issue. He appreciated ANP’s efforts against terrorism and said that the final decision about his party’s participation in the APC would be taken after consultation with QWP leaders. —Bureau Report

Quota for Fata students sought

KOHAT, Feb 8: The United Tribal Party has demanded special quota in colleges and universities of the country for the students who have been affected by the military operations in Fata during the last decade.

The vice-chairman of the party, Habib Noor Orakzai said that if the government could provide jobs package to the people of Balochistan, why step-motherly treatment was being meted to the tribesmen from Fata.

In a press statement he regretted that the food provided to the IDPs was insufficient and of poor quality. The tribesmen were living in damaged tents in severe cold, the press release said.

The tribesmen have access to health facilities and food permits which is injustice with the people from the tribal belt.

He vowed that they would try their level best to stop negative propaganda against the tribesmen by the government and foreign media and continue efforts for establishing separate province for the tribal people. —Correspondent

Home dept’s focal person

PESHAWAR, Feb 8: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home and tribal affairs department has nominated a section officer, Qamar Ali, as focal person under the Freedom of Information Ordinance, 2002, for the purpose of providing information related to the department to media persons.

In a press release issued here on Friday, it is stated that Mr Ali, who is section officer (anti-narcotics, foreigners and media) of the department, can be approached by the representatives of print and electronic media round the clock for seeking any information pertaining to the department. —Bureau Report

Cellphone shops looted

LAKKI MARWAT, Feb 8: Unknown thieves broke into the shops of two cellphone dealers on main bus stop late on Thursday night and decamped with cash and other valuable items.

Sources said that the thieves entered the shops of Inayatur Rehman and Abdul Latif by making holes in the roofs and stole away cash and mobile phone sets along with accessories. The affected shopkeepers also brought sniffer dogs to trace the culprits but to no avail.

Police after inspecting the shops and obtaining accounts of theft incidents from traders started efforts to arrest the thieves and recover stolen items. —Correspondent

Oath-taking ceremony

MANSEHRA, Feb 8: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister for information Mian Iftikhar Hussain administered oath to the newly-elected office-bearers of Mansehra Press Club on Friday.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Peshawar. Shahzad Jahangiri, president press club told reporters that Mr Hussain also announced a grant of Rs500,000 and five computers for the journalist community of Mansehra.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony, Mr Hussain said that the Awami National Party would sweep the upcoming general elections in KP and make the next government.

“We had served the people of KP without any discrimination and would continue to do so after sweeping the elections,” said Mr Hussain.

He said that like other regional languages Hindko would also be given due importance and it would soon be included in the curricula at primary level. —Correspondent