BAJAUR: Speakers at a seminar here on Monday expressed concern about the growing use of drugs among youth in the region and asked the authorities to crack down on drug peddlers.

The event, first of its kind in the region, was organised by the Tribal Youth Movement in a college to create awareness among youth of the harms of using drugs and advocate joint efforts for the elimination of narcotics.

The participants included elders, political and social activists, religious leaders and youth.

Tribal Youth Movement senior vice-president Misbahuddin Utmani complained that the use of drugs among the local youth, including students, had gone up during the last several months. He said his organisation was making efforts to educate the people about the harmful effects of drugs through such events.

The other speakers, including religious scholar Maulana Khan Zeb, PTI leader Khista Mohammad, ANP leader Sayed Sadiq Akbar, Attaullah Khan and Rizwanullah, said there was a strict restriction on drug business in the region during the FCR era, while narcotics were available in few areas only.

They claimed that after the merger of tribal areas with the province, the drug business had increased in the region, while all sorts of drugs were easily available due to the indifference of the authorities.

They demanded an effective crackdown on drug pushers across the district and urged the administration to ensure free treatment of drug addicts to help them become useful members of society.

ACCIDENTS: Four people, including a physician, were injured in separate road accidents in Bajaur tribal district on Monday. Residents and Rescue 1122 officials said a truck loaded with marble stones fell into a deep ravine in the mountainous Nawagai region injuring two people, including the driver. The Rescue 1122 officials shifted the injured to the District Headquarters Hospital, Khar.

Meanwhile, senior doctor Izat Khan suffered injuries as his car fell into a ravine in Shamsha area of Nawagai region.

The accident occurred as the doctor lost control of the car while negotiating a sharp turn.

The Rescue 1122 officials said the injured was shifted to a local hospital for treatment.

Also, a vehicle overturned near the fruit and vegetable market in Khar injuring two people.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2020