MANSEHRA: The elders of Kohistan region on Tuesday opposed the inclusion of Battagram district in Abaseen division and demanded of the government to make their three districts in the proposed division.

They held a jirga in Pattan, the district headquarters of Lower Kohistan district.

The elders of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas districts unanimously declared that any division with Battagram as headquarters won’t be acceptable to them.

Elder Maulana Kareemdad, who presided over the meeting, told reporters afterwards that any attempt to impose a formula unacceptable to the people of Kohistan region would backfire.

He said Abaseen (Indus River) passed through Kohistan region, so the residents won’t allow any change to the division’s name.

“It is unfortunate that the chief minister without taking the people of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas announced the tagging of our districts with Battagram in the proposed Abaseen division. That is unacceptable to us,” he said.

The elder said a 36-member committee comprising eminent personalities from three Kohistan districts had been formed to hold talks with the chief minister next week.

“The committee will hold its first meeting in Peshawar on Dec 23 to finalise future course of action,” he said.

FINED: The district administration fined many traders in Lassan Nawab area and its suburbs here on Tuesdayfor profiteering.

Assistant commissioner Malik Qamar Zia along with police paid a surprise visit to the Lassan Nawab Bazaar and fined many traders for violating the official price list.

He asked the people to report profiteering for a crackdown by the administration saying an unreasonable profit by traders causes the people’s misery and artificial shortage of essential goods.

AID: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre on Tuesday began the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan via Pakistan.

According to a statement, over 200 trucks left for Afghanistan carrying 1,920 tons of food and non-food items to cater to the needs of Afghan families in the cold winter season. The project will benefit around 280,000 people in Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2021