DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The employees of Tehsil Municipal Administration Dera on Monday locked their offices in protest against non-payment of salaries for the past seven to eight months and pensions to their retired colleagues.

The protesting employees raised slogans and demanded immediate payment of their outstanding salaries and pensions. They also criticised the tehsil municipal officer, Abdul Rehman, and alleged that payments had been made discreetly to 35 officers and 32 pensioners considered close to the administration, while other employees and pensioners had been waiting for months for their dues.

They said that all withheld salaries and pensions should be released immediately. They also called for a high-level inquiry into the alleged selective payments and discrimination in the disbursement of TMA funds.

The protesters said that prolonged delay in payment of salaries had caused them severe financial difficulties. They vowed to continue their protest until their outstanding dues were cleared.

ROBBERY: An armed group robbed a bank near Peshah Pul on Peshawar-Bannu Road in the limits of Saddar police station on Monday, police said.

District Police Officer Ziauddin Ahmed confirmed the incident, saying 10 to 12 armed men riding motorcycles entered the bank and held the staff hostage before fleeing with cash.

According to police, the suspects were wearing security forces uniforms and escaped towards Bannu Road after the robbery. The amount of cash taken from the bank could not immediately be ascertained.

Police said that an investigation into the incident was launched and efforts were under way to trace and arrest the suspects.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026