MANSEHRA: Additional deputy commissioner Nazima Shaheen on Tuesday said the administration was going to form a women-only dispute resolution council to address the gender-based violence issues in the district.

She was speaking during a function organised by the Saibaan Development Organisation here to exhibit handicrafts by the local women.

Deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan, who was also in attendance, said the administration would offer all possible support and cooperation to nongovernmental organisations for the resolution of gender-based violence, women’s inheritance issues, and problems facing religious minorities.

He said he was impressed by the role played by the Aawaz Learning Forum for the reduction of the incidence of gender-based violence, property denial to women, and early or forced marriages in the district.

Saibaan chief executive officer Sahibzada Jawad Alfaizi said his organisation had taken up the issues of transgender persons and gender-based violence and got the police involved for their resolutions.

District social welfare officer Sabir Shah called for the women’s economic empowerment to address excesses against them.

Former MPA Sajida Tabassum said women were no different from men when it came to intelligence and capabilities.

GAS SUPPLY: The Mansehra CNG Stations Association has opposed the indefinite suspension of gas supply to the filling stations and said the move would hit motorists and commuters alike.

Association president Asif Khan and office-bearers Mohammad Ilyas and Saith Miskeen met deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan and called for gas loadshedding instead of indefinite halt to gas supply.

Dr Qasim said he would take up the matter with the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, assistant commissioner Hasrat Khan paid a surprise visit to shops in the city areas and outskirts, and fined five traders for profiteering.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2021