MANSEHRA: Over 300 sacked employees of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation have declared their termination illegal claiming the matter is sub judice. They warned that they would stage street protests against sackings.

“We will take to the streets to protest our termination orders,” leader of employees Tariq Zaman told reporters in Balakot area on Thursday. Of the sacked PTDC employees, 150 were posted to Hazara division.

Accompanied by a group of terminated employees, he said the matter of their employment was pending with the Peshawar High Court but even then, acting PTDC MD terminated their services and thus, committing a contempt of the court. Sacked employee Gohir Aman said terminating staff members without prior notice and financial benefits was unfair.

“The sackings have left PTDC motels in Balakot, Naran, Ayubia and other parts of the country without caretakers,” he said.

He said the terminated employees would demonstrate in Balakot, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Ayubia areas.

They insist matter is sub judice

LAND ACQUISITION: The revenue department has begun land acquisition for the Oghi-Buttle Road.

“Funds for this Rs220 million road project have been released following approval by the chief minister,” chairman of the district development advisory committee and MPA Nawabzada Fareed told reporters in Oghi area on Thursday.

He said encroachments were being removed for the construction of the 20 feet road. Mr Fareed said the government had also approved more roads for Oghi as part of its plans to develop the tehsil.

ROAD CLOSURE: Residents of various areas on Wednesday took to the streets against the closure of a road by an influential woman in Gulli Bagh area. Shouting slogans, the protesters demanded an immediate reopening of the road.

Shahnawaz Khan said the road led to many areas and villages and even government schools but a local influential woman got it blocked by rocks and stones.

Shad Mohammad Khan demanded of the district administration to reopen the road and act against the woman.

SUSPENDED: District police officer Sadiq Baloch on Wednesday suspended traffic warden Umar Younus for allegedly torturing a taxi driver on Chikia Road here and ordered an inquiry into the incident.

He made assistant superintendent of police Dr Umar as the inquiry officer asking him to produce the report for action.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2020