KOHAT: The farmers market established here four months ago to provide vegetables to the people at cheap rates has failed to attract the growers because of lack of facilities and unhygienic conditions.

The district administration had constructed the sasta bazaar with millions of rupees, but the growers prefer to sell their produce in the wholesale market. The site has been turned into a garbage dumping place and occupied by pushcart owners.

The administration had announced that there would be no tax on the sellers of vegetables and the growers could bring their produce directly from farms to the bazaar.

Abdul Malik, a consumer, told Dawn that they preferred to buy vegetables from the wholesale market. He claimed that since the opening of the market not a single farmer had come there. He complained that the main drain around the market was choked.

Gul Agha, a grower, said the authorities had promised to provide water and electricity and place dustbins at the sasta bazaar, but to no avail.

The pushcart pushers were removed from front of the bazaar and shifted to the old cattle market, but they have appeared again.

ISOLATION WARD: Cricketer Shahid Afridi has opened an isolation ward at his charity hospital in remote Tangi Banda area for the coronavirus patients.

He also inspected various wards and the emergency of the hospital. He appealed to the people to take precautions against the virus as per the government guidelines.

Mr Afridi said as soon as anyone felt high fever and flu he should come to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. He said the people should observe social distancing and wash hands regularly.

He instructed the hospital staff to take good care of patients and provide them best facilities.

POs ARRESTED: The police have arrested 17 proclaimed offenders during a crackdown across the district.

A statement issued here the other day said the outlaws were presented before a judge who sent them to jail.

The crackdown was launched on the directives of district police officer Mansoor Aman.

The statement said the POs were wanted in murders, attempted murders and extortion cases.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2020