LAKKI MARWAT: Public health minister Malik Pakhtoonyar Khan and Bannu deputy commissioner Shah Saud on Tuesday distributed compensation cheques of Rs270 million among the landowners hit by Baran dam upraising project.

Speaking at a jirga held on this occasion, Mr Pakhtoonyar thanked the tribesmen for donating lands for the dam project, and said the government had fulfilled its promise to provide them with compensation. He said the provincial government would soon approve mega uplift projects for Bannu.

Declaring peace inevitable for development, he said people should play a role in that regard. The jirga was held at the residence of Malik Mir Shamad and attended by elders of Mamandkhel tribe.

Acknowledging the role of tribal elders in restoration of peace in the region, the deputy commissioner said lasting peace would help bring sustainable development to the area.

Mr Saud asked elders to use the platform of jirga to provide a better living environment to tribesmen. He said the government was committed to bringing the backward regions on a par with developed parts of the province. He said problems faced by tribesmen would be resolved on a priority.

On the occasion, the elders said they would assist law enforcement agencies in ensuring writ of the state in the region.

In Lakki, district police officer Taimur Khan has asked the SHOs to tighten the noose around drug barons and criminals and ensure their arrests at all costs.

Speaking at a meeting held on Tuesday, he said narcotics sellers were enemies of future generations and their dens must be eliminated.

He warned that SHOs and in-charge officers of police posts would face departmental action if they did not improve their performance within a week.

Separately, a man was shot at and stabbed by his rivals over a murder enmity near Dallokhel Phatak (old railway crossing) on Tuesday.

Police said the incident took place on Tajazai-Lakki Road. They identified the injured as Hayatullah, 53, a resident of Shadikhel Bitanni.

Police said the wounded man was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Tajazai, and a case was registered against the suspects, Alo Khan and Rehmat.

They said the police launched efforts to arrest the attackers.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2024