SHANGLA: Information minister Shaukat Yousafzai on Saturday directed the labour secretary to develop a comprehensive plan for the welfare, education and healthcare of the children of the coalmine workers.

He also ordered the preparation of a plan for the welfare of physically-challenged coalminers and its early submission to him.

The minister told a delegation of the Shangla Coal Mines Worker Welfare Association and Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation here that the government would ensure the safety of coalminers at workplace and the provision of facilities to them and their children.

He said registration with the government promised the development of workers.

The delegation comprised Ali Bash Khan, Abid Yaar, Mian Sohrab, Mohammad Gul and Sarfraz Khan.

FLOUR POINTS: The residents have demanded of the administration to set up flour sale points in various union councils in Shangla district.

They complained that Pir Khana union council, Kabalgram, Kamach Nasratkhel, Pirabad, Karora, Olandar, Ismailkhel, Chawga and some other areas didn’t have points to sell flour at subsidised rate forcing people to buy 20kg flour bag for Rs1150-Rs1250 from the market.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERIES: The Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Bisham, has begun orthopedic operations on a self-help basis after a long time.

The operating theatre hasn’t been operational for a long time. Deputy medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Sanaullah told Dawn that the first orthopedic operation was carried out on Saturday.

He said the surgical procedures would continue to happen despite the vacancies of medical specialists and unavailability of the required funds.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2020