SWABI: The sole water supply system of Gadoon Amazai area taken from Utla Badri is lying broken and need an urgent attention of officials of the public health engineering department to repair it.

The mountainous area has been badly hit by severe water shortage during the last few weeks and despite the government’s efforts to solve the issue people are still facing the problem.

People belonging to different villages told this correspondent on Wednesday that the supply system passing through mountainous terrain was connected to water tanks in various regions and government offices.

They said that the natural springs had dried up due to recent dry spell, resulting in stoppage of water supply to the area. The supply could be resumed after rains, but the broken supply system might delay the plan.

A few days ago protesters turned violent during a demonstration and attacked the pipeline, alleging that direct water connections had been given to the government buildings while residents were ignored. As a result, the already leaking pipeline was further damaged.

“The police lodged an FIR against over 100 people and had also arrested some of them,” remarked Said Bahadar of the region.

Yasir Khan of Mangal Chai village said that if water supply was resumed from Badri area after sufficient rains the people would continue to face the problem as the pipeline to their houses had been damaged. However, they would be able to get water from water tanks built in almost every village.

“Soon after the pipeline was damaged the public health officials should have visited the area to assess the damage and solve the problem,” said district nazim Ameer Rehman.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had asked the PHED officials to ensure adequate water supply to Gadoon Amazai area.

KILLED: Two men allegedly clubbed their brother to death in Tordher village here on Wednesday.

Police said that the incident occurred in Tordher where Tariq Ali would frequently clash with his mother over petty issues, annoying his brothers. His father Salim Gul and brothers Abdul Ali and Farooq Ali would always advise him to give up the bad habit, but he never gave attention.

On Wednesday, he again clashed with his mother and his brothers allegedly clubbed him to death. Father of the deceased registered an FIR, telling the police that Tariq Ali would often annoy his mother. The police arrested the two brothers and started investigation.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2017