SWABI: The government has been asked to give soft loans to the growers to help improve their living conditions.

This was the crux of speeches delivered at a growers’ convention, where National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was the chief guest. Farmers from across the district participated.

The speakers said the poor farmers, especially the small landholders, always confronted numerous problems and remained in financial difficulties because of the rulers’ apathy.

They said the growers were expecting the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government to take initiatives for improving the lot of the peasants. On the occasion, Mr Qaiser assured the farmers of resolving their problems on a priority.

SOLAR-POWERED TUBEWELLS: The provincial government would install solar-powered tubewells to irrigate arid land in Jalbai village of Chota Lahor, claimed local Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders on Sunday.

Abdul Karim, adviser to the chief minister on industry, told mediapersons that the tubewells would irrigate thousands of acres of arid land in the region, thus increasing the grain production and boosting the financial position of farmers. Flanked by other leaders, he said Rs7 million would be spent for the purpose.

CONTRACTORS WARNED: The Communication and Works Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has said in case of substandard construction the relevant government contractor would be blacklisted.

The department’s chief engineer (north), Mohammad Uzair, visited the under-construction projects in the district and inspected the ongoing construction work. He reviewed work on the under-construction project of Swabi judicial lockup, government degree college, Kotha, and district health houses.

OFFICE-BEARERS NAMED: Known entrepreneur Shiraz Akram Bacha, Babar Humayun and Fazal Amin returned unopposed as president, senior vice-president and vice-president, respectively, of the Swabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry the other day.

TWO KILLED: In Kalabat village, Abdul Rauf, belonging to Mansehra district, was shot dead over an old enmity.

Topi police registered an FIR against Rustam Khan, Rosham Khan, Sirbiland Khan and Hakim Khan, and later arrested Rustam and Hakim.

A missing man was found dead in Neelab Township in the jurisdiction of Topi city police.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2020