LAKKI MARWAT: A number of water supply schemes have been lying dysfunctional in parts of Bannu district for several months, causing acute water shortage.

An official of public health engineering department (PHED) told a meeting held on Monday that out of 31 broken tubewells, repair of 14 was ongoing, while repair of the rest would be carried out soon.

Divisional commissioner Parweiz Sabatkhel chaired the meeting.

He directed the PHED officials to chalk out a plan to keep water supply schemes fully functional by ensuring timely repair of faulty tubewells.

“Water is the basic necessity of life and its availability for drinking and other purposes should be ensured,” he said.

An official of agriculture department said the department was providing maximum support and technical assistance to local growers. He said farmers were being made aware of modern ploughing methods and use of technology to increase per acre yield.

The divisional commissioner asked the relevant authorities to motivate farmers to take advantage of government’s initiatives, including sudsidised seeds, pesticides, fertiliser and machinery.

He directed the irrigation department officials to ensure completion of the ongoing projects within the timeframe.

BODY FOUND: Body of a young man was found in Janikhel town of Bannu on Monday, the police said.

A party of Janikhel police station, after being informed by someone that a body was lying in the fields, reached the place and shifted the body to the District Headquarters Hospital. Officials said the deceased had been killed with a firearm.

They said the slain was yet to be identified. Later, municipal workers buried the body in a local graveyard, pending identification.

Police began investigation into the incident after lodging a case against unknown killer(s).

PROTEST CAMP: Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan organised a protest camp in Lakki city on Monday against ‘unbearable’ inflation and increase in prices of essential commodities.

The TLP activists also demonstrated at the Qazi Ishfaq Chowk, carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the runway inflation.

TLP divisional president Mufti Mohammad Al-Hakim Khan and others asked people to join the protest camp. They said the former and incumbent rulers had failed to control inflation and provide relief to people. They asked the government to reduce oil prices.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2023