SHANGLA: Opposition members in the Shangla district council have threatened to stage protest outside the Chief Minister House in Peshawar if the provincial government does not hold an inquiry into what they said corruption in distribution of development funds by the district nazim.

They were speaking at a press conference in Bisham on Tuesday. Opposition leader Haji Sadeedur Rehman, deputy opposition leader Ziaul Haq, Akbar Hussain, Khan Nawab, Altaf Hussain Gulab, Zakirullah and Islam Mohammad alleged that district nazim Niaz Ahmed had been absent from council sessions for last two months.

Mr Rehman said the district nazim, who belongs to PML-N, had deprived the opposition of development funds. “The district nazim has turned himself into a king as he neither calls monthly meetings nor gives time to his voters,” he alleged.

The opposition leader alleged that Mr Ahmed and tehsil nazims were involved in the corruption in distribution of funds, saying Rs20 million given by the prime minister and Rs1.5 allocated for rehabilitating flood victims had been misappropriated.

Attempts were made to contact the district nazim for his version, but he did not attend the calls.

KILLERS ARRESTED: Puran police claimed on Tuesday to have arrested three persons involved in a murder.

Puran SDPO Zeerab Gul told reporters that a group of three had killed Siraj in Aloch area three days ago.

He said on a tip-off, a police team led by SHO Habib Said conducted an operation in Ashar Kot and arrested the culprits.

He identified the accused as Hamid Wali, Shahid Ali and Nasir Ali. They would be produced in court today (Wednesday).

FOREST DAY: Various functions and walks were organised on Tuesday in connection with the International Forest Day.

In Bisham, a function was organised by Kohistan watershed Bisham, where divisional forest officer Sayed Rizwan Kazmi and local elders were in attendance.

On the occasion, the DFO planted saplings and also urged the local people to protect forests. A walk was organised which was also participated by students.

An event was held in Abasin Model School in Shang area by the forest department.

Students also participated in a walk held on the Karakoram Highway. The participants carried banners and placards inscribed with messages about the importance of forests.

Events were also held in Puran, Alpuri, Karora and Chakesar, where thousands of saplings were distributed among the people.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017