KOHAT: The local residents have complained about slow pace of work on the Barh-Jabbi Road here, saying that a 15-minute journey to Kohat district headquarters took an hour due to massive digging.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, former nazim Umer Gul and social activists of Jabbi, including Najmal Shah, Zafarullah Khan and others, said digging work had started on the five-kilometre-long dirt road a month ago.

They said due to digging rolling stones continued to fell from mountains, thus making passage on the road dangerous. The elders said during rains the dug up road turned into pools of mud, creating trouble for commuters.

They said a few days back they were taking a boy with a broken leg to the KDA Teaching Hospital when the vehicle got stuck in mud.

The locals said the construction work on the road was started after decades, but they did know when it would be complete.

FEE CONCESSION: Private educational institutions on Tuesday agreed to give 20 to 40 per cent relaxation in fees to students because of Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement was made in a joint declaration issued after a meeting between Qaumi Jirga members and representatives of associations of private educational institutions chaired by Kohat division commissioner Javed Iqbal Marwat.

It was also agreed to give discount in fees to siblings studying in the same school. The commissioner also directed for early constitution of parent-teacher councils in both the government and private schools.

A statement issued from the commissioner’s office said the parents represented by Qaumi Jirga, and representatives of Private Educational Association Kohat and Private Educational Network also called for strict action against the schools adopting delaying tactics in issuance of leaving certificates to students.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Tuesday, district police officer Sohail Khalid said committees had been formed under the directives of provincial police chief Moazzam Ja Ansari to solve enmities among people by taking into confidence social, political and religious circles.

He said a special awareness campaign had been launched against sale of drugs. He said people could call on his mobile number and tell the names of peddlers in their areas. He assured the people that their names would be kept secret. He said it was a serious issue because the menace was destroying the social fabric.

Mr Khalid said circle DSPs and SHOs of rural and urban areas were going from village to village, seeking elders’ help to curb drug peddling and resolve feuds.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2021