SHANGLA: A wildfire burned down scores of trees in Hawalai forests in Bisham tehsil here on Friday night. However, Rescue 1122 workers and forest staffers managed to control the blaze after five hours of hectic efforts.

Rescue 1122 Shangla spokesman Rasool Khan said the fire engulfed around eight kanals of forest, destroying a large number of trees.

Sub-divisional forest officer was not available for comments on the incident as his mobile phone went switched off.

Meanwhile, several activists of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Awami National Party announced joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in Guli Butt area of Chakesar tehsil during a public meeting on Sunday.

PML-N MNA Ibadullah Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Ibadullah urged people to vote for PML-N in the second phase of the local body elections because the incumbent government had failed to serve them.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2022