BAJAUR: Unknown people set a shop on fire after throwing petrol on it in Laghari Bazaar of Mamond tehsil on Saturday night, the police and traders said on Sunday.

They said all the goods in the shop were turned into ashes.

Traders said the affected owner had established the shop a year ago, and had no personal dispute with anyone in the area.

They said the shop was the lone source of his family’s income.

The traders demanded of the police to arrest the culprits forthwith.

They also asked the administration and well-off people to extend financial support to the affected trader to help him start his business afresh. They claimed the trader suffered over Rs2 million loss in the incident.

The police said they had launched efforts to trace the culprits.

JOIN ANP: Scores of people, including activists of political and religious parties, on Sunday announced to join Awami National Party in Bajaur tribal district, a statement said.

The statement issued by ANP district general secretary Nisar Baz Khan, said residents and political activists joined the party during a ceremony held in Badan area of Mamond tehsil.

ANP’s provincial joint secretary Shah Naseer Khan, district chapter general secretary Nisar Baz Khan, deputy general secretary Sadiq Akbar Jan and information secretary Noor Khan Durrani were also present.

The statement said the ANP leaders welcomed the new entrants and expressed the hope their decision would further strengthen ANP in Bajaur.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2023