LAKKI MARWAT: Bannu deputy commissioner Mohammad Nawaz has assured the tribesmen affected by the Baran dam raising project of compensation payment over the loss of their lands.

He stated this during a meeting with elders of Mamandkhel tribe on Tuesday.

Mr Nawaz said the project, aimed to bring development to the region, had been completed.

The elders told Mr Nawaz that the dam raising had submerged their fertile lands. They demanded an increase in the compensation amount announced by the government.

DC says dam to help improve people’s livelihood

They also demanded construction of a park along the dam to provide recreation facility to tribesmen, especially youth.

Mr Nawaz assured the elders of taking up the matter with the government authorities.

He said the dam would boost agriculture, livestock and other relevant sectors, besides helping to alleviate poverty in the district.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner inaugurated the first all Bannu night cricket tournament at the old Maal Mandi Park during a colourful ceremony.

On the occasion, he said tournament had been arranged to involve youth in healthy activities.

Separately, the education department and the boy scouts’ association organised declamation, Qirat and Naat competitions in connection with the Seeratun Nabi (SAW) conference on Tuesday.

Scouts from government schools participated in the competitions held at government high school No. 2 in Lakki city.

In declamation contest (boy scout category), Mohammad Asif of government high school No 2, Lakki, stood first.

Ihsanullah, a student of government higher secondary school, Wanda Amir, was declared winner of the declamation contest (rover scout category).

In Qirat, Mohammad Waqas of government high school No 2, Lakki, got first position.

In Naat competition, Amir Hamza of government Shaheed Mohammad Ghasan Khan centennial model high school No 1, Lakki, obtained first position.

Trophies were given to the position holders.

SHOT DEAD: A teenager was shot dead by his cousins over a water dispute in Tajazai area of Lakki on Tuesday, the police said.

Ghaznikhel police station officials said Inamullah, 18, was present in his fields near a tubewell when his cousins, Zafrullah and Momin, came there and opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Sattar Khan, 62, father of the deceased, told police the killers were his nephews and he had a water dispute with them.

Also on Tuesday, district food controller Sohail Habib got arrested nine profiteers during surprise inspection visits to bazaars in Bannu on Tuesday.

The food official visited the bazaars on public complaints about violation of official price list.

Mr Habib said nine traders, including grocery sellers and butchers, were arrested for profiteering.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2023