LANDI KOTAL: A jirga of Kukikhel elders has threatened to start agitation if the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government fails to resolve ownership issue of the disputed portion of the Regi Lalma township in Peshawar.

The jirga accused the provincial government of unlawfully occupying their collective land property for establishment of a residential sector in the township.

The jirga, held in Jamrud the other day, reminded the provincial government to honour its commitment of resolving the ownership issued through a commission which was formed by the Peshawar High Court. It said the Kukikhel tribe had submitted all the original and relevant documents to the PHC to prove their genuine ownership over the land which was on the border with Peshawar district.

The jirga accused the Peshawar Development Authority and other relevant government departments of not resolving the issue.

The jirga also demanded of the FDMA to provide all possible assistance to the displaced Kukikhel families of Rajgal and surrounding localities in Tirah valley.

It demanded resumption of the return of remaining Kukikhel families along with starting of damage assessment survey of the affected areas inhabited by the Kukikhel tribe. The jirga called upon the relevant government departments to establish schools and health centres in Rajgal prior to the return of remaining displaced families.

They said in the absence of a suitable shelter, they were unable to live in damaged houses in harsh winter conditions.

STUDENTS VISIT TIRAH VALLEY: Security officials took a delegation of students of different educational institutions on a daylong visit to Tirah valley.

A press release issued after the visit said students enjoyed the picturesque surroundings of Tirah valley and met with local residents. Army officials in the valley briefed the visiting students about various tribes of Tirah and the local customs and traditions.

They were told that the valley had great potential for tourism which would be developed in near future as peace was restored after successful culmination of various military operations. Students played in the snow and made personal and group photos.

GIRL KILLED: A five-year-old girl was killed when she was hit by a speeding passenger van in Landi Kotal on Tuesday. Relatives then blocked the main road which was reopened only after the arrest of the van driver.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2019