KHAR: The paramedics in Bajaur Agency on Monday announced to go on a strike in all the public health institutions on March 7 (Wednesday) to protest delay in their service structure and regularisation of contract employees.

An announcement to this effect was made during a meeting of All Bajaur Paramedical Association held at the agency headquarters hospital, Khar.

The meeting was chaired by association’s president Mohammad Yousaf.

The participants expressed dismay over the provincial government’s delaying tactics in accepting their demands despite passage of several years.

They said paramedics demanded implementation of service structure, permission to do private practice, payment of allowance for computer operators, adjustment of promoted staff in grade 16 and 17 and regularisation of all the contract employees.

They said the strike was an effective way to force the government to meet their demands.

POLIO DRIVE: A three-day anti-polio campaign was launched in Bajaur Agency on Monday after its postponement on Feb 12 over security reasons.

An official of local health department told Dawn that the campaign was launched on the directives of commissioner Malakand division after a gap of more than three weeks.

He said 228,000 children below five years of age would be vaccinated, adding over 1,600 polio workers, including volunteers, health officials and teachers, were taking part in the campaign under strict security measures.

He said at least 900 personnel of Bajaur Levies had been assigned the duty to protect the polio teams during the door-to-door campaign.

PASSING OUT PARADE: The passing out parade of the 25th batch of Frontier Crops was held at the Bajaur Scouts Training Academy in Khar on Monday.

Pak Army’s Sector Commander (north) Brig Amir Kiani was the chief guest.

On the occasion, he said the FC personnel had played incredible role to rid the tribal areas of militants and anti-state elements.

People from different walks of life, officials of the security forces and local administration, Commandant Bajaur Scouts Col Rehman Qadar and political agent Abdul Amir Khattak were also present on the occasion.

Brig Kiani said FC was reliable and vital segment of the security forces to maintain peace and writ of the government in Fata.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2018