SWABI: Despite a ban illegal LPG filling points are mushrooming in the local markets, posing serious threat to people’s lives.

It has been witnessed that LPG filling outlets have mushroomed during last few years.

“Any leakage during filling of cylinders might cause an explosion as the LPG is highly inflammable,” Arif Khan, a shopkeeper in the main Topi market, said.

“Go around the markets across the district and you will notice several LPG filling points in congested areas. This is very dangerous because a single blast could lead to a series of explosions taking precious lives and damaging property,” said a trader in the district headquarters, Swabi.

The traders said the officials concerned should close down illegal LPG filling points and allow only those who have proper training and equipment to run the business.

Despite repeated attempts, the concerned officials in district administration didn’t reply to phone calls.

LG MEMBERS SEEK POWERS: Local government members on Tuesday demanded delegation of powers to the grassroots level and provision of development funds.

Speaking at a meeting here, they said it was astonishing that despite lapse of about nine months since the LG elections were held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the local bodies were ‘without funds and powers’.

They said they should not be forced to stage protest demonstrations.

Taj Nawab, Swabi councillors’ association president, said the elected representatives would continue to struggle for their genuine rights.

He said the government should fulfill its obligations so that the councillors could deliver according to the promises they made with the people at the time of seeking votes.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2016