SWABI: People have demanded ban on sale of toy guns which have flooded the local markets on the occasion of Eidul Fitr.

The people said toy guns put negative impact on the minds of children, adding the law enforcement agencies had failed to impose a ban on sale of such toys. They demanded that the government should immediately ban toy guns.

Though parents do not hesitate in purchasing their children toy guns, a majority of educated parents didn’t do so as they knew it would lead their children to violence in future.

“My son wanted me to buy him a toy Kalashnikov, but I refused,” Abdul Latif of Maneri said.

“Sale of toy guns should strictly be prohibited as they closely resembled the real guns,” Mohammad Qamar, a retired teacher, said.

Shad Zamin of proper Swabi city said: “I don’t want my children to run after each other, pretending to open fire and kill each other with toy guns.”

WORKERS LAID OFF: Sinohydro, a Chinese company which is carrying out the fourth extension project of Tarbela Dam, has reportedly laid off about 130 labourers at the intake section after heavy water filled up the section, Dawn learnt on Saturday.

“The flow of water has increased due to melting of the glaciers, gradually raising the water level in the 97-kilometre-long lake, and subsequently filling the intake section, where he about 130 labourers worked,” said a relevant official, when contacted by Dawn.

On the other hand, the workers said during the laid off period they would only get Rs6,000 against their monthly pay of Rs12,000.

However, another official said workers would be recalled after the water receded from the intake section.

Meanwhile, leaders of Awami Labour Union (ALU), Tarbela Dam, have demanded that the Chinese firm pay more than Rs6,000 to the workers till the time they were called back.

ALU president Aslam Adil and general secretary Mohammad Ashfaq said the workers were likely to stay out of work for about three months, so they should be compensated properly.

Mr Adil said they would meet the company officials to discuss the matter.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2016