LOWER DIR: The district administration and health department have launched a booster vaccination campaign in Ghorah Banda village of Maskin union council here to contain the measles outbreak.
Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmad had ordered emergency health measures, including a booster vaccination campaign and the establishment of a basic health facility, in the remote mountainous village after reports that five children had died of measles.
The deputy commissioner visited the village the other day, along with District Health Officer Dr Sher Khan Afridi and Additional Assistant Commissioner Samarbagh Saeedullah to meet elders and the bereaved families.
The officials were informed that five children died of measles during the past few days while some children had been admitted to different hospitals.
Five children reportedly died in Maskin UC
During the visit, Dr Afridi highlighted the importance of timely vaccination against childhood diseases, particularly measles and polio.
The village elders said the union council, comprising around 5,700 households, lacked middle and high schools. They also called for a basic health facility, a tube well, clearance of landslide debris from roads, a small playground for local youth and measures to improve livestock health, noting that a large section of the population depended on livestock for its livelihood.
Taking notice of the demands, the deputy commissioner directed the DHO to establish a basic health facility at a suitable location within three days and ensure the availability of essential medicines and staff.
He also ordered the immediate launch of a booster vaccination campaign and the establishment of a medical camp in the affected area, with specialist doctors, paramedical staff and medicines.
TIMBER SEIZED: Forest department seized an oil tanker specially modified to conceal and transport illegally felled deodar timber during an operation in Chakdara, officials said on Sunday.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Shabir Ahmad Jan told Dawn that the tanker had been designed exclusively for timber smuggling and fitted with plastic pipes at its opening to make it appear as though it was carrying water or oil, thereby deceiving investigating agencies during inspections.
He said the seized timber had not been loaded at a single location but collected in pieces from different places in Gaddar, Chakdara, before being loaded onto the tanker. The consignment was being transported to the down districts, he added.
The DFO said the owners of the seized timber had been summoned and legal action would be taken against them in accordance with the law.
According to a statement issued by the office of the deputy commissioner, the operation was launched after the DFO received a tip-off about timber smuggling.
A special team was formed under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO), Chakdara, Imad ud Din, in coordination with the district administration.
The team intercepted the tanker on the main road at Gaddar, Chakdara, and recovered the deodar timber allegedly being transported illegally.
Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026
