KOHAT: The wheat crop has been attacked by rust disease due to humidity in the air following torrential rains. District agriculture officer Zahirullah Khattak, while talking to farmers on Wednesday, cautioned them against strip, steam and leaf rusts which badly affect the crop.

He said the department through the model farm services had approached the farmers to warn them against the disease and to take precautionary measures. He said the farmers could get medicines through field officers and spray their crops timely.

JIRGA: Speaking at a jirga held at Mitha Khan on Wednesday, the elders of Lower Orakzai tribal district termed the compensation of Rs400,000 given to the internally displaced persons insufficient for construction of houses, and demanded that the amount should be increased to Rs1 million.

They said they had helped the government during the merger decision of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but their problems were not being resolved.

They said thousands of educated youth were not being provided jobs. They said it was responsibility of the government to take care of the merged districts.

OPEN KUTCHERI: The elders and local body members of Jarma have demanded early transfer of remaining government land in the name of owners and construction of a basic health centre in the area.

Speaking at an open kutcheri held by additional assistant commissioner Sahibzada Smaiullah on Wednesday, they said they were facing problems regarding revenue, irrigation, girl schools, non-supply of gas and absence of electricity transformers.

Mr Samiullah said he had put up the summary for transfer of land before the deputy commissioner and the issue would be resolved soon.

STRIKE CONTINUES: District nazim Naseem Afridion Wednesday met the protesting water supply and sanitation company and tehsil municipal employees after their strike entered the fourth day over non-payment of salaries for three months.

He assured them that he would hold a meeting with the deputy commissioner to sort out the escalating issue.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2019