LOWER DIR: The district administration has decided to determine the limits of the riverbed through the officials of irrigation department before auctioning its sand, gravel and minerals.

The decision was taken by Deputy Commissioner Wasil Khan during a meeting with landowners and elders of Malikabad, Kandaro, Diaron, Khungi, Saddo, Tarai, Hajiabad, Koto, Odigram, Munjai, Shehzadi, Malakand and Rani villages.

The local authorities of mineral and irrigation departments were present on the occasion. The delegation was led by Dir Qaumi Pasoon chief Malik Jehan Alam Yousafzai. Elders include Malik Abdul Satar, Malik Azam Khan, Malik Inam Khan, Sardar Javed, Malik Sardar Hameed, Ali Bakht, Javed Khan, Mohammad Salim, Rahatullah and Malik Hayat.

They apprised the deputy commissioner of the grievances of landowners regarding the auction of sand, gravel and minerals. They said that district administration floated advertisement for auction of sand and gravel of riverbed owing to which unrest prevailed among landowners.

DC promises to play role in quashing FIRs against landowners

They said that the 2010 flash floods had washed away agricultural lands on both sides of the Panjkora River and widened the riverbed. They said that despite construction of safety walls on the riverbanks, the administration included their lands into the riverbed.

The deputy commissioner said that the officials of irrigation department along with landowners would demarcate the riverbed and minerals would be auctioned after the process was completed.

He also promised to play active role in quashing the FIRs registered against some of the landowners for excavation of gravel from their lands near the river. A 12-member committee was formed to look into the matter and schedule meetings with the local lawmakers for convincing provincial government.

RALLY: The teachers and students of a private educational institution on Thursday staged a rally to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Carrying banners and placards, the protesters marched on roads and gathered at a square in Timergara. The school’s principal, Usmanullah, and others demanded of Muslim leaders and UN to play role to stop Israeli atrocities.

The participants of the rally also collected Rs123,000 for Palestinian Muslims and handed it over to Al-Khidmat Foundation.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2024