MANSEHRA: The Tehreek-i-Sooba Hazara on Friday reiterated its call for declaring Hazara division a province and urged the government to include that demand in the agenda of its talks with the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and other political parties about the proposed South Punjab province.

“Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has announced the start of a consultative process with political parties on behalf of the government on the creation of more federating units in the country and therefore, the demand of Hazara province should also be part of the agenda of that exercise,” TSH chairman Mushtaq Khan told reporters here.

Mr Mushtaq said the people of Hazara division had long been making a struggle for the creation of Hazara province and lost lives for the cause.

He urged the senators and assembly members from Hazara division to force the government to include the Hazara province demand in the dialogue agenda.

“If the South Punjab province can be created, then why Hazara division can’t be given the same status,” he said.

The TSH leader advocated more federating units for good governance.

He warned the residents of Hazara division would agitate for the cause.

FINED: The district administration has fined many filling stations in Mansehra city and its outskirts for violating restriction on CNG sale.

Assistant commissioner Hasrat Khan told reporters here on Friday that CNG supply to vehicles had been restricted to ensure smooth gas supply to domestic consumers.

He said owners of the CNG stations found violating that restriction were fined Rs30,000 each and were given the premises sealing warning over further violation.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2022