LOWER DIR: Traders and political activists on Monday called for holding immediate elections of the Timergara bazaar union.

The demand was made at a joint meeting, with the participants also declaring the current cabinet of the traders’ union as unconstitutional and illegal as no elections have been held since 2007.

According to the union’s constitution, elections are required every three years.

The participants warned that if elections were not announced by July 30, they would form a parallel traders’ union.

PTI leaders Rahat Farooqi, Malik Ziaul Haq, and Bashirullah Advocate, ANP’s Malik Mohammad Rasheed Khan and Ashfaq Sheikh; JUI-F’s Shahab Utmani; trader representative Liaqat Khan of Tori; currency dealer Ejaz Ahmad; Hayatullah from China Market; former president of traders’ union Shakirullah; general secretary Ihsanullah, and others were in attendance.

They also highlighted that the business community was facing serious challenges, including heavy fines, yet there was no one to raise their voice.

Fahimuddin, a trader, told reporters that the current cabinet of the traders’ union comprised either councillors or PTI workers, and none of them represented the traders.

ZAKAT FUNDS: District Zakat Committee chairman Malik Aurangzeb Khan has said Zakat will be distributed fairly and transparently among deserving people in Lower Dir.

Talking to reporters on Monday, he said local sub-committees were being formed to ensure effective distribution at the grassroots level. He said cheques worth Rs6 million had already been given to 30 poor girls to help them with dowry expenses.

He said the process of forming 198 sub-committees was underway. “After their constitution and the release of funds in August, the distribution of Zakat among deserving people will begin,” he said.

THREE INJURED IN FIRING: Three people, including two children, were injured in a firing incident in the jurisdiction of Mayar police station on Monday.

A Rescue 1122 team shifted the injured to Timergara Hospital.

Police said Naeemullah and Afnan, residents of Shokrata Mayar, allegedly opened fire on Ishaq over a property dispute, after verbal altercation, leaving him injured. Ishaq is the brother-in-law of Naeemullah. Stray bullets also hit two children, who happened to be passing by, leaving them injured.

Police claimed to have arrested two suspects.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2025