TIMERGARA: The contesting candidates of different political parties from NA-6 and PK-14, Lower Dir, on Wednesday termed provision of equal education facilities to both boys and girls their top priority.

The candidates presented their five-year plans for education during a political convention arranged by the Udhyana Education Campaign, a volunteers’ movement for improvement of education in Malakand region. It was aimed at analysing the plans of contesting candidates for ensuring quality education in government schools.

The candidates, including PTI’s Humayun Khan, ANP’s Hussain Shah, TL’s Mohammad Ibrahim, Rahe Haq Party’s Ubaidullah Anwar, MMA’s representative Liaquatul Mulk and a representative of PTI candidate for NA-6 Mehboob Shah spoke on the occasion. Teachers, parents and educationist asked questions from the candidates about their plans for improvement of education.

In general, the candidates vowed to give top priority to the education sector and ensure equal opportunities for both the boys and girls to receive quality education. They also signed a charter of demands for provision of quality education to children in Lower Dir.

An activist of the campaign, Mohammad Bilawal, said that the girl students still faced certain challenges like lack of post-primary schools for them to continue education after 5th class. He said that overall the number of schools for girls were less than those for boys.

Meanwhile, a student identified as Izhar, a resident of Ramora Chakdara, allegedly committed suicide by swallowing poisonous pills. The residents said that the student had failed in two papers of matriculation examination as the result was announced a few days ago by the Malakand board.

BUS STAND AUCTION:The Timergara general bus stand was auctioned for Rs80.6 million while Thrai cattle fair for Rs1.3 million for the year 2018-19. The online bidding was held at the office of tehsil nazim here the other day.

Shah Nazar was declared successful bidder as he offered the highest bid of Rs80.6 million for the bus stand, while Aftabur Rehman offered the highest bid of Rs650,000 for Timergara cattle fair and Ali Rahman Rs1.3 million for Thrai cattle fair.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2018