MANSEHRA: A local court has summoned special adviser to the chief minister on population Ahmad Hussain Shah, the chief engineer and sub-divisional officers of the communication and works department and head of the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over unauthorised change to a road widening and blacktopping project for Ghanool valley of Mansehra district.

Civil judge Qazi Adnan issued a stay order for the suspension of work on the road linking the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road to Shinkiari Hut area.

He asked Mr Shah and three officials to appear in the court on Monday to explain their respective positions on the unauthorised change to the road initiative approved by the provincial government as part of its plans for tourism promotion.

According to Raza Mohammad Khan and other petitioners, the TCKP had approved the widening and blacktopping of 16km Manoor Valley Road, 10km Shogran Road and 14km Ghanool-Shinkiari Hut Road in Balakot tehsil at the cost of Rs1.259 billion.

However, the communication and works department changed PC-I underhand to please special adviser of the chief minister Ahmad Hussain Shah.

The petitioners said the court should punish the relevant officials of the communication and works department and TCKP.

GOODS DISTRIBUTED: A Saudi relief organisation on Friday distributed winter goods to scores of poor people in the snowbound areas of Hazara division.

The goods, including blankets, quilts, coats and warm clothes for men, women and children, were given away by JUI-F provincial deputy chief Syed Hidaytuallh Shah during a special ceremony in Sathangalli are here.

Mr Shah appreciated the initiative and said it was a gesture of Saudis’ love for Pakistanis.

DOGS CULLED: The tehsil municipal administration culled dozens of stray dogs on the first day of a campaign here on Friday.

The drive was launched on the orders of the deputy commissioner over dog bite complaints.

“We have killed dozens of stray dogs in the city and its suburbs by poisoning,” TMA sanitation officer Mohammad Iqbal told reporters.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2020