KOHAT: Tribesmen of Orakzai district have demanded opening of a passport office, an end to excessive electric loadshedding and establishment of modern hospital.

Speaking at an open kutchery called by the Federal Ombudsman’s regional office on Wednesday, they also demanded installation of more mobile phone towers for better connectivity.

The open kutchery was held at the jirga hall.

The tribesmen claimed they were subjected to 22-hour electric loadshedding. They said the region lacked development, paved roads and a district headquarters-level hospital.

They also called for opening of a Benazir Income Support Programme centre in the area and an office of National Database and Registration Authority.

Also call for end to long power cuts

Orakzai deputy commissioner Tayyab Abdullah, Hangu deputy commissioner Haider Hussain, heads of government departments and elders were in attendance.

Mushtaq Jadoon, the ombudsman’s regional officer, said tribesmen could contact him through the deputy commissioner or through directly writing to him for redressal of any issue. He asked them to send complaints to him in case there was delay in resolution of their problems.

ROAD INAUGURATED: MNA Shehryar Afridi on Wednesday inaugurated work on Chapri Nehar Road.

Speaking at the ceremony on the occasion, he said Rs2.6 million would be spent on the road construction.

Mr Afridi directed the relevant department to ensure completion of the road in time. He said no compromise would be made on quality of work.

SECURITY PLAN: District police officer Umer Khan on Wednesday said a comprehensive security plan had been devised for Eidul Azha.

He stated this while chairing a high-level meeting.

He said adequate strength of police would be deployed at cattle markets and worship places. He said a strategy had been devised to ensure smooth flow of traffic during Eid days.

Meanwhile, president of BISP employees’ association Abdur Rehman has warned of protests if culprits involved in looting Rs2.5 million from an official were not traced immediately.

He said the BISP official was bringing the cash for distribution among the registered women of four villages when two motorcyclists snatched the amount from him at gunpoint on Monday.

He asked the Kohat deputy commissioner and the district police officer to ensure immediate arrest of the culprits.

The Bilitang police, in whose jurisdiction the robbery took place, said they had arrested some suspects for investigation.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2024