KOHAT: A social welfare organisation of Sayyab area here ended its two-day protest and blockade of OGDCL trucks after negotiations with its authorities and the deputy commissioner.

They had been demanding expenditure of the promised corporate social responsibility fund since 2016 for welfare projects in the area. They had threatened to stop work on the third proposed rig in the area if their demands were not accepted.

After talks, the protesters opened route for the trucks.

Office-bearers of Sayyab Tanzeem met with deputy commissioner Matiullah and OGDCL officials where they were told that Rs9.2 million of Rs17.2 million was lying with the former. The people were asked to submit schemes so that work could be initiated on them.

Sameer Khan said that they had been promised a tubewell, gas supply, roads, dispensary and a van in 2016.

However, they were told that the tubewell would cost Rs4.3 million therefore it could not be installed.

He said that pollution-related to emissions from the rigs required a full-fledged dispensary with a doctor to treat the local people.

SMUGGLING BID FOILED: The Lachi police foiled an attempt of smuggling arms and ammunition from Darra Adamkhel to Dera Ghazi Khan on Indus Highway here the other day.

It was stated that during checking SHO Afzal Awan stopped a vehicle and found seven pistols and hundreds of cartridges wrapped around the waist of a passenger Maqsood Ahmed of Dera Ghazi Khan.

A case has been registered against him.

CONFERENCE: Speakers at Seeratun Nabi conference organised by district bar association here the other day shed light on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and achievements of the caliphs.

It was attended by Pir Habibullah Shah, DIG Kohat Tayyab Hafeez Cheema, district and sessions judge Mohammad Shoib, district bar president Javed Panji, judges, lawyers and officials.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2019