MANSEHRA: At least six people, who had gone to Spat Malli area of Upper Kohistan district to find the precious peridot stones, are feared dead as their family have lost contact with them after heavy snowfall in the region.

“The family has approached the district administration for rescue operation but it is impossible for us to do so without the availability of a helicopter as the area has received over 20 feet snow until now,” district police officer of Upper Kohistan Raja Abdul Saboor Khan told reporters on Saturday.

He said Spot Malli, an inaccessible and high mountainous area, was known for Paradot stones, where the six people had gone before the start of snowfall 10 days ago.

The DPO said the families lost contact with missing treasure hunters after snowfall began in Spat Malli.

He said the deputy commissioner had requested the government through the commissioner of Hazara division for the provision of helicopter.

DPO says govt copter sought for search

The DPO said if the rescue operation was launched, it might be initiated in Naran, which shared a high mountainous range with Kohistan.

Meanwhile, the Karakoram Highway, which was blocked in Loter area of Upper Kohistan, was cleared on Saturday.

However, the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road blocked in Kaghan valley due to landslides wasn’t reopened to the misery of residents and visitors.

INFLATED BILLS: The residents have complained that they have received inflated gas bills.

“I and many other gas consumers have received inflated bills this month, which we are unable to pay,” nazim of the Safada village council Basharat Ali Swati told reporters here on Saturday.

He also demanded of the authorities to ensure correction of the bills.

MOUS SIGNED: The Hazara University on Saturday signed two memorandums of understanding with the Quaid-i-Azam University and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council for cooperation to increase agricultural growth in the country.

“We focus on research in fields of science and technology and therefore, we’ve signed agreements with the Quaid-i-Azam University and Parc in agricultural field,” vice-chancellor of the HU Dr Idrees told reporters here on Saturday.

Dr Idrees signed the MoU with the QAU representative for jointly conducting a scientific research.

Students of both universities will attend national and international symposiums and seminars on agriculture.

Also, the Hazara University and Parc will carry out ventures to increase agricultural yield and produce seeds of better quality.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2019