KOHAT, Dec 3: A jirga of local elders, including traders, have offered complete support to the administration for maintenance of peace during Muharram, saying they would respect the ban on taking out religious and political processions in the main bazaar.

The district administration, meanwhile, agreed to relax ban for women and old people on pillion riding on the request of jirga held here at the DCO House on Friday.

Prominent among the jirga members were former MNA and Sunni Supreme Council chairman Javed Ibrahim Paracha, vice-president of Tajir Action Committee Israr Khan Shinwari, local JI amir Haji Abid Khan and others. Kohat DCO Shahidullah Khan told the jirga that it was the responsibility of both the Sunni and Shia elders to preach peace and harmony and discourage extremist elements.

He hoped that the religious leaders would help the government in maintenance of peace like the previous year.

CRUSHED TO DEATH: A speeding car crushed a young boy to death on Indus Highway near Guddai Banda here on Friday.

The Bilitang police said that a car (B-1040-Nowshera) was going to Dera Ismail Khan from Peshawar when it hit one Hamid, 12, while he was crossing the road.

The driver escaped leaving behind his car, which was impounded by the police.

LAID TO REST: Funeral of Havaldar Muhammad Iqbal, who was killed in Turbat in fire exchange with militants, was offered at Kharasha Banda in Hangu on Friday.

Later, he was laid to rest in his ancestral village Mishti Chappar area in lower Orakzai Agency with full military honours.

The army media cell told journalists that Muhammad Iqbal died when militants attacked a convoy in Turbat area of Baluchistan.

In retaliation, four militants were also killed while one was captured alive, it said.