CHITRAL, May 21: As many as eighty-six falcons were released in the hills of Garam Chashma and Mastuj, in the Hindukush Range, by the Pakistan Falcon Foundation (PFF) here on Saturday. Prince of United Arab Emirates and president of PFF Mohmmad Ahmed Al-Bawardi had arrived here for the purpose.

The move is aimed at multiplying the number of falcons which have gone to the point of extinction in this belt of the Hindukush Range, causing ecological imbalance.

Ecologists, sources in the WWF said, had expressed concern that many species of birds had become endangered due to the absence of falcons here. Three years ago, the PFF had released falcons in Chitral Gol National Park and more were to be set free the next year when a ban was imposed on the transportation of the species.

Recently the federal ministry of environment allowed the PFF to release falcons in Chitral. The ones set free are said to be of Arab origin.

Educationist dies: An eminent educationist of Chitral, Waqar Ahmed Khan, died of cardiac arrest here on Saturday in the DHQ Hospital. He was 70.

Family sources said he was rushed to the hospital when he complained of chest pain after Zuhr prayers. Serving in the former princely state of Chitral he opened many schools in the district.

After the annexation of Chitral with the NWFP in 1969, he served as district education officer for 18 years.