CHARSADDA: At least five electronics shops were reduced to ashes in a fire that broke out due to electricity short-circuit in Dosra Bazaar here on Sunday.

The blaze was put out after efforts of three hours when fire tenders were called from Charsadda headquarters and Mardan.

According to a report lodged at Sra Dheri police station the fire caused by an electricity short-circuit gutted five shops in Ayaz Electronics market. Locals informed the police about the incident, which called the fire tenders.

The report said after three hours of hectic efforts the fire was extinguished.

Residents said valuable items, including refrigerators, solar panels, batteries, air conditioners, TV seats and washing machines worth millions of rupees were gutted. They demanded the government to compensate the affected traders.

DURABLE PEACE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has linked establishment of durable peace in the region to friendly relations with Afghanistan.

However, he alleged that some foreign powers were involved in vitiating the relations between two neighbouring countries.

He stated this while talking to a delegation of Umarzai Union of journalists at the residence of former provincial minister Mohammad Hashim Khan in Umarzai the other day.

Mr Jhagra said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would not tender resignation on the demand of a person or party.

He said the PM would appear before the JIT as directed by the Supreme Court to prove himself innocent.

He said Fata would soon be mainstreamed, adding he would visit the tribal agencies to take people into confidence in this regard.

SPECIAL CHILDREN: Senior provincial minister Sikandar Hayat Sherpao has said serving special children is not an easy task because it needed untiring efforts.

Speaking as chief guest at a gathering held at Mohammad Azam Khan Special Education Centre for Special Children on Sunday, he said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had increased allocations to facilitate the special children in the best possible manner.

He said special education had been included in the priorities of the government, adding a special education complex had been built in the district to launch a university for the physically challenged persons.

The minister appreciated the efforts of teachers at the centre for successful completion of the artisan and special education course.

Wajid Ali Khattak, chairman board of directors of the centre, said the programme had been launched under the auspices of USAID’s small grants and ambassador’s fund.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2017