LAKKI MARWAT: The district police will re-establish a checkpost at Manjiwala Chowk located on the Indus Highway to curb terrorist attacks and keep a check on criminals in the rural areas of the Lakki Marwat district.

This was disclosed during a meeting held here in the police lines on Wednesday with district police officer Mohammad Jawad Ishaq in the chair.

Matters pertaining to the collection of data of Afghan nationals and their repatriation with respect and dignity, reactivation of public liaison committees and operation against terrorists’ facilitators were discussed.

The participants also discussed compiling lists of chagha parties (group of armed villagers assisting law enforcers during actions against terrorists and criminals), peace committees and Eid security plan.

Speaking on the occasion, the district police officer said that the Manjiwala police post, which had been shifted to the toll plaza near Kurrum Bridge, would be re-established at its old point keeping in view the recent terrorist attacks on police officials in the Manjiwala area.

He said the presence of police would help improve law and order, curb anti-social and subversive activities. He asked the subordinate officials to reactivate liaison committees and utilise their influence to curb firing in the air on Chand Raat and during Eid days.

He asked the elders, local body members and religious scholars to pursue people, especially youth, not to indulge in illegal practice of firing in the air.

He also directed the SHOs to implement Eid security plan in letter and spirit so people could celebrate the festival with peace and happiness.

Mr Ishaq said that a clean-up operation was underway against the facilitators of terrorists, asking people to report movement of suspected people to police so that they could take prompt action against them to avert any untoward incident.

DATE PALM CULTIVATION: The cultivation of date palm trees began in the Karak district on Wednesday as the forest department had already provided the farmers with plants to motivate them to set up date palm orchards.

“The initiative has been launched in the district for the first time on the instructions of provincial agriculture minister Sajjad Barakwal,” claimed an official.

He said that various areas in the district were feasible for the cultivation of date palms, and the initiative would enable the growers to get economic benefits. He said the agriculture department would advise the farmers about the cultivation and effective management of date palm orchards.

In a video clip released by the district agriculture office, district director Dr Jan Mohammad can be seen telling farmers the sowing technique of date palm plants. He also shed light on preparation of land for date palm cultivation, proper caring of plants, watering and use of fertilizer.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025