SWABI: Tobacco cultivation is going to start here soon as the crop nurseries are ready for plantation.

The growers said they had prepared their lands for the crop. They, however, criticised the Pakistan Tobacco Board and the purchasing companies over the delayed announcement of quota for the current year.

Meanwhile, officials of companies said their Virginia tobacco quota for the current was 51.757 million kilogrammes.

“We, however, expect that the total production of Virginia tobacco will cross 76 million kg mark in the district,” an official of a multinational company told Dawn on condition of anonymity.

Another official said the PTB had asked the growers to produce the crop as per the purchasing quota to avoid any surplus.

BHU WITHOUT POWER: The basic health unit in the Dagai union council has been without power supply for last one week after the Peshawar Electric Supply Company staff disconnected supply to it over non-payment of dues.

Pesco officials said despite various reminders the BHU failed to pay the Rs47,000 power dues, thus forcing the company to disconnect power supply.

Due to non-availability of power, patients and staff confront problems.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2022