LAKKI MARWAT: Bannu commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai has called for ensuring strict monitoring of uplift schemes being executed under the annual development programme, asking the concerned deputy commissioners to probe complaints through district monitoring officers about the use of substandard material in welfare projects.

He was chairing a meeting at his office in Bannu on Friday, which was attended by provincial transport minister Shah Mohammad Khan, deputy commissioners of Lakki Marwat, Bannu and North Waziristan and other concerned officials.

They discussed matters pertaining to the new and ongoing uplift schemes.

Mr Yousafzai said that such meetings would be held regularly to review progress on development projects and asked the authorities concerned to ensure completion of projects within given timeframes.

ARRESTED: Police on Friday claimed to have arrested a man wanted in a double murder case in Ghoriwala area of Bannu. An official said the suspect, Qudratullah, was at large after the murder of two people on Oct 4. The police arrested the alleged killer in a raid on a hideout. He claimed that the police also seized the weapon used in the crime.

Meanwhile, two people were wounded in separate road mishaps in Lakki Marwat on Friday.

A rescue official said Dr Hafiz Osama and Dr Ishfaq were injured when a car going to Tank from Mansehra rammed into a roadside tree near Ghaznikhel. The injured were taken to the DHQ hospital.

RELIEF SOUGHT FOR MASSES: Former federal minister Salim Saifullah Khan has asked the opposition leaders to let the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government complete its tenure.

Speaking at a press conference at his residence here, he also said that the recent surge in prices of essential commodities and power and gas tariffs had added to the troubles of people, asking the government to take measures for providing relief to the masses.

He rejected the impression about a tussle between former provincial minister Hisham Inamullah and Saifullah brothers and urged the Marwat people to recognise the leaders serving them.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2021