KOHAT: The federal ministry of energy (power and petroleum divisions) has approved the long-awaited gas supply projects for four densly-populated union councils of oil- and gas-rich PK-82 constituency. The second 132KV grid station for Kohat, to be set up in Jarma, has also been sanctioned.

This was announced by CM’s adviser MPA Ziauallah Bangash here on Thursday.

He said that a delegation had called on federal minister for energy Omar Ayub in Islamabad and requested him for the approval. Senior PTI leader Malik Atif, Daud Shah Afridi and Aslam Khattak were also present in the meeting.

The decision came after PTI leader Daud Afridi led a four-day protest sit-in at Jarma and Shahpur demanding gas for the area.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Bangash said that Omar Ayub had approved gas for Ustarzai, Sher Kot, Nasratkhel, and Alizai. He had directed the SNGPL to start surveys.

He said work on laying pipelines in the areas would start within four months. He also discussed the matter with state minister Shehryar Afridi who had vowed that the PTI government would provide gas connections to the residents of all Kohat localities.

Work on the pipeline in Jarwanda in the city is in progress. However, Jarma has not been included in the scheme despite a written agreement.

SMART LOCKDOWN: The administration of tribal sub-division of Darra Adamkhel on Thursday imposed a one-week smart lockdown, urging the tribesmen to follow the standard operating procedures to contain the spread of Covid-19. It also sent samples of 33 students of the local school for tests.

Assistant commissioner, Darra Adamkhel, Haider Hussain also held an awareness session with the local mediapersons with a request to educate people to wear mask, use sanitiser and ensure social distancing.

He also held a jirga with tribal elders and asked them to create awareness of precautions among to protect them from coronavirus.

Additional assistant commissioner-I, Kohat, Sher Bahadur visited Hangu Pathak and Gulshanabad bus stands and advised the drivers and passengers to strictly follow the SOPs.

SEMINAR: Speakers at a seminar on the rights of women here the other day stressed that if the society followed the teachings of Islam and traditions of Pakhtun society no dispute could arise between couples.

They said that Islam envisaged the rights of women and called for timely intervention of elder members in family disputes which could save many families from disturbance.

The seminar was arranged by the social welfare department at the Nishtar Special Education Complex. Additional deputy commissioner Bashir Ahmed was chief guest on the occasion.

It was addressed by social welfare officer Hussain Khattak, deputy director information Sarwar Khattak, Chairman of Ittefaq Welfare Organisation Esar Bangash and others.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2020