BANNU: Young doctors have called off their week-long strike and announced the restoration of services at outpatient departments of all three teaching hospitals here on Monday.

The development came after the intervention of the Bannu Traders’ Association.

Members of the Young Doctors Association suspended OPD services at hospitals over a dispute with the local PTI leadership.

As the step affected thousands of visitors, Bannu Traders’ Association president Haji Gul Pir, chairman Hukumzad Khan and leaders Ihsan Khan, Ajab Gul Khan, Parvez Khan, Dil Ghafoor Khan and Noor Ghani Shah stepped in and persuaded both sides to sort out the issue through dialogue.

A meeting was held at the Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in which the local PTI leadership sought reconciliation in accordance with Pakhtun traditions, leading to a settlement between the two sides.

Both sides announced an end to their differences, apologised to each other and vowed to work for public service.

KIDNAPPED: Armed men kidnapped a schoolchild as he was returning home from school on Malik Zaal Kalla Road in the Bakakhel area here.

Witnesses said the kidnappers took Sohail Khan away on the two motorcycles they rode.

The boy’s father, Malik Imran alias Bukhmal, too, was abducted a few months ago. However, he was recovered safely.

Residents, led by elders, staged a protest against the boy’s kidnapping in Bakakhel Bazaar.

The elders said a jirga of the Bakakhel tribes would be convened to decide the future course of action.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026