BAJAUR: Speakers at a workshop here on Monday called for promoting mineral sector in Bajaur tribal district by easing the existing cumbersome procedure of granting the leasing licences.

The provincial mineral department and the district administration organised the workshop at the Jirga Hall in Khar to discuss the issues hampering promotion of mineral sector in the mineral-rich region.

Tribal elders, political and social activists, traders and representatives of local government attended the event.

Provincial secretary mineral department Humayun Khan and deputy commissioner Iftikhar Alam were also in attendance.

On the occasion, Mr Alam said promotion of mineral sector was imperative to improve the socioeconomic condition of people. He said his administration was facilitating the investors to exploit the region’s mineral reserves.

The other speakers called for simplifying the procedure in leasing the mines. They pointed out most areas of Bajaur had abundant mineral deposits.

Addressing the workshop, secretary minerals Humayun Khan said the provincial government was committed to promoting mineral sector in the tribal districts. He admitted that the mines’ owners and investors were facing problems in getting lease licences. However, he said the government had principally decided to ease the process.

PTI LAWMAKERS FLAYED: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers have threatened they will withdraw their support to party’s MNA Gul Dad Khan and his brother, MPA Eng Ajmal Khan if they did not take them on board in identifying and launching development projects.

They were speaking at a meeting held at the residence of former Insaf Welfare Wing’s Bajaur president Eng Imran Mughal in Khar the other day.

The participants regretted that both the lawmakers had promised taking the party workers into confidence in decisions on uplift schemes, but to no avail.

WOMAN DROWNS: A woman drowned in Panjkora River in Barang tehsil the other day. Rescue 1122 officials said the incident occurred in Sharbati area, when the victim slipped into the river while fetching water.

A rescue team reached the site and launched efforts to fish out the body.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022