DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mehmood on Monday launched the much-awaited Dera Ismail Khan circle of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco).

The minister along with Pesco chief executive officer Sardar Arif Mehmood Khan Sadozai unveiled the plaque.

JUI-F leader Maulana Lutfur Rehman and Pesco officials were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mehmood said establishment of a separate Pesco circle for Dera division was part of his party‘s agenda to bring a new era of development to Dera and Tank districts.

He said people had long been demanding a separate Pesco circle as they had been confronting issues of over-billing, prolonged loadshedding and undue fines, which took a long time to be resolved.

He said the step would help eliminate the sense of discrimination prevailing among people of the two districts. He said staff deficiency in Pesco would be overcome.

Separately, speaking at an open kutchery held in the Circuit House, Dera, Pesco chief Arif Khan Sadozai said electricity problems of local people would be resolved immediately with the establishment of a separate circle of the power company.

Mr Sadozai listened to public issues and issued instructions for their immediate resolution

He said budget for establishing Pesco Dera circle and hiring of the staff had been approved.

He said 52 appointments had been made in Pesco under the retired employees’ son quota.

On the demand of former MPA Mahmood Khan Bittani, the Pesco chief approved a heavy transformer for Tank district.

AJRAK DAY: The Saraiki Ajrak Day was observed on Monday to highlight the Saraiki language and culture.

The Seraiki Qaumi Ittihad took out a rally to mark the day. Scores of people participated in the rally. The participants wearing dark blue shawls also performed the traditional Jhumar dance and songs on drumbeats.

The rally was taken out from Pir Sabir Shah Shrine and passed through different bazaars in the city.

Office-bearers of the political parties also joined the event.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2023