LOWER DIR: The district administration for the first time arranged an open kutcheri for minority groups at Timergara rest house here the other day in order to resolve their problems.

Deputy commissioner Saadat Hassan chaired the event where members of minority groups, including Priest Aqeel, Rafiq Maseeh, Rehmat Maseeh and others, raised their issues.

They demanded increase in jobs under the minority quota, construction of a church building and cemetery for Christians, three-day holiday on Christmas, Easter and Christmas allowance besides construction of a separate residential colony for the minority community.

Heads of government departments, including district education officer Miftahuddin, AC Tahir Ali and TMO Shakil Hayat, were also present on the occasion.

The deputy commissioner issued orders to the concerned departments for resolution of some issues raised on the occasion, saying that a summary of the remaining issues would be sent to the provincial government for further action.

He said that the concepts of good and evil, peace, tolerance, compassion and love existed in all religions.

“Under the Constitution, it is the duty of the state and the administration to protect rights of the minorities. Practical efforts will be made to resolve your issues on priority,” he remarked.

The DC asked additional assistant commissioner, revenue, Hafiz Bilal to select a site for the cemetery for the minority community and submit the report.

FAREWELL PARTY: The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as ‘Doctors Without Borders’, on Friday arranged a farewell party for the local elders at its office in Timergara after winding up its medical emergency project in Lower Dir.

Lauding the role of MSF, the local elders, including traders body president Haji Anwaruddin, journalist Haleem Asad, PTI activist Malik Inam and others, said it had rendered valuable services during the mass displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs, natural disasters, etc.

MSF project director Eve Spellman and deputy coordinator Ijaz Zarin thanked the local communities for their cooperation.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2021