KARAK: Separate demonstrations were held here on Wednesday against and in support of the medical superintendent of the district headquarters hospital, Karak.

Protesters led by former district president of JUI-F Maulana Ameer Shahzada marched to the main hospital and locked the office of MS Dr Bashiruddin Khilji, demanding his transfer without delay. They demanded cancellation of the transfer orders of three doctors from Karak to DI Khan.

Later, the protesters marched to the office of deputy commissioner Abid Khan Wazir and attempted to stage a sit-in there, but the police stopped them.

However, the people staged sit-in outside the office of the district police officer, and demanded cancelation of the doctors’ transfer orders.

They argued that there was already deficiency of doctors in the district and the transfer of most senior doctors was a great setback for the people.

Meanwhile, some people staged protest in favour of the MS outside the hospital and claimed that he was an efficient administrator who had brought improvement in the affairs of the hospital. They claimed that a lobby was active against him, resolved that if the MS was transferred they would lock the hospital.

‘MISUSE’ OF ROYALTY FUNDS: Local government representatives on Wednesday demanded a halt to what they said misuse of oil and gas royalty and production bonus funds and demanded it was their right to utilise such funds.

The demand was made at a convention of LG representatives held at the Town Hall chaired by Karak Tehsil Nazim Haji Abdul Wahab Khattak.

The speakers argued that according to the constitution utilisation of such funds was the domain of LG representatives, which was also assured by PTI chairman Imran Khan.

They accused the provincial and national assembly members of embezzling the royalty funds. They pointed out that the residents of Karak were suffering because of bad roads, shortage of water and disruptions in electricity and gas supply.

CHILD’S KIDNAPPING BID FOILED: The police here the other day foiled a bid to kidnap a minor student and arrested the kidnapper.

A 5th class student of a private school identified as Sufyan, resident of Dareeshkhel, was going home after school when he was kidnapped by Zohaib of Palabanda, according to a police statement.

Soon after the incident, the local Chegha party informed the district police officer Mian Naseeb Jan about the kidnapping. The DPO directed DSP Banda Daud Shah Nazeer Khan and rescue 15 to chase the kidnapper and to recover the child safely. The police along with Chegha party apprehended the accused in the hilly Bahaderkhel area. The accused was shifted to Khurram police station for investigation and the young boy was handed over to parents.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2017