Father, son shot dead

HARIPUR, July 18: A man and his son were shot dead while two others, also father and son, were injured when two rival groups attacked each other in Nartopa village, some 20 kilometers from here on Monday.

This was the second incident in the same village during the last 24 hours, police and area people said.

According to Saddar police there was a dispute between the two families over a piece of land. The victims Alla Dita and his son, Noor Mohammad, were attacked by their rivals when they were busy demarcating the said land, which they claimed was theirs in the light of a court decision. Their opponents Mohammad Doran and his son Mohammad Ramzan were also critically injured in the clash.—Correspondent

Girl seeks protection

PESHAWAR, July 18: A girl on Monday sought protection from threats by her parents for marrying a youth of her choice.

Ms Kainat of Ganj Peshawar, speaking at a press conference at Peshawar press club on Monday, said she married a young man, Jamal Khan of University Town, a month ago to avoid unfair treatment by her parents.

“But my parents are sending me life threats since then,” the girl said, adding, she had been living with her ‘in-laws’.

She said the police arrested her husband and sent him to prison on complaint of her parents, adding, the report about her kidnapping was wrong and demanded release of her ‘husband’.—Bureau Report

Boy commits suicide

GHALANAI, July 18: An 18-year-old boy committed suicide in Haleemzai tehsil of Mohmand on Monday.

Officials and family sources said Shafi Gul, 18, resident of Taro Khel village, was mentally upset.

On Monday he went out of his home and shot himself. He succumbed to injuries while on way to hospital.

Meanwhile, security forces and Safi peace committee conducted a search operation against suspected militants in Said Khan Kore, Adam Zai and Khazeena areas of Safi tehsil. However, no suspect was arrested.—Correspondent

Black day observed

CHITRAL, July 18: A black day was observed in Chitral on Monday to protest against the stoppage of work on Lowari tunnel project.

Protest processions were taken from different localities of the city which converted into a public meeting at Polo ground addressed by the leaders of different political parties and civil society organisations. The people wore black bands and hoisted black flags atop their houses and shops. The speakers criticised the government for consigning the Lowari tunnel project into oblivion by diverting the funds meant for it to Larkana and Multan.—Correspondent

Shutter down strike

KARAK, July 18: The traders of Karak city on Monday observed complete shutter down against the excessive loadshedding and low voltage. They demanded that the schedule of the loadshedding should be provided to the traders.

The traders of Karak city led by trader association president Abdul Aziz marched through different bazaars and converged at Saddam Chowk where they blocked the road.

The traders said the excessive loadshedding and low voltage had badly suffered their businesses.

They warned if the official schedule of loadshedding was not provided to them within a week time then they would lock the Pesco offices.—Correspondent

Foreign remittances

PESHAWAR, July 18: The Bank of Khyber (BoK), partially owned by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, has handled foreign remittances worth Rs7 billion during first half of the current year, according to its Managing Director Bilal Mustafa.

“The increase in remittances facilitated via the BoK shows the overseas Pakistanis’ trust in the bank, which is growing in different sectors,” said Mr Mustafa, while speaking at ‘Half-year Managers’ Conference’ held on Monday.

The conference was to review the operational activities and achievements of the bank during first six months of 2011 and to finalise the targets and operational strategy for the remaining six months.—Bureau Report

Murder case resolved

NOWSHERA, July 18: The mystery of a murder was resolved on Monday when a man confessed killing his friend with the help of the wife of the deceased.

The Nowshera police arrested wife of the deceased and her paramour in mysterious killing of the victim haling from Nowshera Kalan. They confessed killing the victim at a dairy farm in Kheshgi some ten days back. Police said the woman had, ten days back, reported to police her husband did not return home after taking dinner. The daughter of the deceased said her father was last seen with the alleged murderer. On interrogation, the accused confessed the murder.—Correspondent

Man killed on road

ABBOTTABAD, July 18: A speeding truck ran over a man at Khokar Mera on main GT Road near Havelian on Monday.

The truck (No PKN 0142) from Abbottabad was on way to Haripur when it went out of control of the driver due to brake failure hitting four vehicles and injuring nine people.

The truck also hit a workshop injuring Chan Zeb, a mechanic, killing him on the spot. Condition of the two of the injured was critical who were shifted to Ayub Medical Complex Hospital. The truck driver Shah Rehman also sustained injuries.—Correspondent

Graveyards’ occupation

PESHAWAR, July 18: Members of ‘Save Graveyard Movement’ staged a rally here on Monday in support of the suo motu notice taken by the Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan over the issue of occupation of graveyards by land mafia.

The rally was attended by inhabitants of Hazar Khwani, Afridi Abad, interior city and other areas. They demanded protection to graveyards to save them from land grabbers.

After passing through different areas the rally turned into a public meeting near the Peshawar High Court. To express solidarity with the participants several lawyers also joined the rally.—Bureau Report

Affected landowners

KARAK, July 18: The district development advisory committee (DDAC) chairman Mian Nisar Gul has shown resentment over the non-payment of compensation to the landowners of Karak and Lawagher dams and asked the revenue, irrigation and forest departments to ensure the same within fifteen days.

He was chairing a meeting of the DDAC here on Monday. He said the SNGPL had completely destroyed the infrastructure of the district. He asked the SNGPL not to start any work in future without prior permission of the concerned department.—Correspondent