SWABI: The Wapda workers on Friday demanded filling vacant posts in Tarbela Dam schools and colleges and upgradation of paramedical staff at Wapda hospital here.

The charter of demands was presented by Tarbela Dam Labour Union chairman, Afsar Khan, while speaking at a meeting organised by Labour Union Power Station, Tarbela Dam.

The other demands included payment of hardship allowance, promotion of Tarbela Dam employees, shift, risk and job allowances for sanitary workers, dangerous allowance for Pesco linemen, regularisation of daily wage employees, formation of service rules and payment of marriage and delivery grants.Leaders of All Pakistan Wadpa Hydro Electric Workers Union from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar also attended the meeting.

They participants said it was critical time for the working class to forge unity in their ranks and fight for their rights from a joint platform. They opposed privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines, and blamed the flawed policies for the financial mess the national carrier was in.

ROBBERS ARRESTED: The police claimed to have arrested two robbers who were involved in looting a truck in Yar Hussain region. District police officer Javid Iqbal told a press conference here on Friday that 15 days ago a truck loaded with rice sacks was looted by the robbers in the jurisdiction of Yar Hussain police station. He said the robbers took the truck to some unknown location.

However, he said the police launched a search to recover the rice and arrested the robbers. Mir Wali who belongs to Nowshera district was arrested from Azakhel area and his colleague identified as Shah Saud of Takhat Bahi Mardan was arrested from Yar Hussain.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2016