LOWER DIR: Residents of different villages here on Wednesday complained that a number of water supply schemes were lying dysfunctional for want of repairs as the public health engineering department did not have funds to fix them.

Talking to reporters, they said women, senior citizens, students and patients were facing hardships due to shortage of water in homes, schools and hospitals.

They threatened to stage protests if funds were not released for repair of water supply schemes.

On the other hand, sources in the department concerned confirmed that many water supply schemes were lying in disrepair, saying a request for release of funds had been forwarded to the provincial finance department.

TEENAGER DROWNS: A teenager drowned in Panjkora River near the Balambat Bridge on Wednesday.

Rescue 1122 drivers retrieved the body of the victim, Uzair Khan, 15, a resident of Timergara Khwar, and shifted it to the District Headquarters Hospital.

PENSIONERS’ DEMAND: The retired employees from civil and armed forces on Wednesday demanded 100 per cent increase in pensions according to the prevailing inflation.

They made the demand during a meeting held in Talash. Retired personnel of Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, Pak Post Guard, police and civilian departments were in attendance.

The participants complained that after retirement they had been neglected one way or the other, saying it was impossible for them to meet household expenses with the existing pensions.

VOTERS’ REGISTRATION: District election commissioner Mohammad Iqbal Tanoli on Wednesday said 125 display centres had been set up across Lower Dir for verification of voter lists and registration of new voters.

Talking to journalists, he said people above 18 years of age could get registered as voters till June 19. He said each village council secretary office had been made a display centre for the people’s convenience.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2022