TIMERGARA: The Adenzai Qaumi Jirga on Monday claimed to have settled the dispute between the landowners and the government over the payments for construction of Sanam Dam in Lower Dir district.

Speaking at a news conference at the Chakdara Press Club, president of the jirga Khurshid Ali Khan and others said the government would compensate the dam’s affected people on market rate.

They said the minister for finance Muzafar Syed, Lower Dir Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram, Assistant Commissioner Adenzai Shah Jamil Khan and irrigation department officials met with the jirga and agreed to give market rate to the landowners. The elders said they had also convinced the landowners not to create hurdles in the dam’s construction.

EX-POLICE OFFICIALS SEEK BENEFITS: The former police officials, including SSPs and DSPs, have demanded of the government to restore 30 per cent son quota in jobs and provide them with old age benefits.

The demand was made during a function organised by the retired police employees association at Chakdara the other day, which was attended by former police employees from Lower, Upper Dir and Malakand Agency.

They said under the amended police rules they could form their union. They said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government abolished the 30 per cent son job quota which was injustice with them.

They also demanded payment of old age benefits and scholarships for their children.

CRICKET COMPETITION: Inter-departmental cricket competitions began at the University of Malakand on Monday. Vice Chancellor Dr Gul Zaman inaugurated the games.

In the opening match the department of journalism beat the department of Pashto by 55 runs.

On the occasion, Prof Zaman said the country needed a healthy society and games were vital for students. He said the students should take active part in co-curricular activities. Also on Monday, minister for finance Muzafar Syed asked the youth to take active part in games. He was addressing a prize distribution function on the conclusion of Mohammad Ali Jauhar Shaheed Memorial sports gala at Khungi Timergara.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2018