LAKKI MARWAT: Local people including women and children thronged a handicrafts exhibition organised at sports complex in Bannu on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Shah Saud inaugurated the two-day exhibition arranged by district administration with support of youth affairs and social welfare departments. Artisans from across the district including students participated in the exhibition.

The event featured colourful clay pots and utensils, paintings, calligraphic works, straw baskets, embroidered clothes and suits, small steel boxes and other items.

Government officials from the district administration, youth, sports and social welfare departments also visited the stalls and appreciated women skilled workers for their displaying crafts at the exhibition.

An organiser of the event said that 587 items were put on display by 38 women at the exhibition. Locals praised the administration for taking the initiative to promote vocational capabilities and handicraft skills of women.

The deputy commissioner said that the exhibition would prove helpful for women artisans to have an access to markets and sell handicrafts at reasonable rates. He said that participation by college and university students in the exhibition was also encouraging as it would motivate other women artisans to come forward and display their handicrafts at such events for marketing.

Meanwhile, police arrested a proclaimed offender and two drug peddlers in Miryan area of Bannu on Thursday.

An official said that police raided a hideout of criminals and arrested a proclaimed offender identified as Zarqiaz, a resident of Nurar. He said that an AK-47 rifle and bullets were recovered from him.

He said that two drug peddlers identified as Mughal Badshah and Saadullah were also arrested.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024