LAKKI MARWAT, Oct 5: The wildlife department on Wednesday arrested a bird smuggler near Serai Gambila and seized precious birds.

Acting on a tip-off about possible smuggling of birds to the frontier tribal regions via Tajori, the divisional forest officer wildlife Bannu division directed Lakki Marwat range officer wildlife Rehmatullah Khan to make arrangements for thwarting the plan.

A local wildlife official said a team headed by Rehmatullah stopped a passenger coach near Serai Gambila on Bannu-Dera Ismail Khan Road and recovered 72 birds of precious species from Taj Wali, of Bannu.

He said the seized birds included red legged partridges, black and brown partridges and see-see partridges.

He said the arrested man was later released on payment of compensation amount, adding that the seized birds were released in the breeding enclosure near Wanda Cheekari.

SCIENCE LABORATORY INAUGURATED: Woman MPA of ANP Yasmeen Zia on Wednesday inaugurated a science laboratory in Government Higher Secondary School, Naurang.

The laboratory has been equipped with modern equipment, science appliances and machinery at the cost of Rs1.1 million.

Ms Zia said the government was paying special attention to the science and technology sector as it would help bring development in all fields. She added that establishment of computer and science laboratories in government schools was meant to let students prepare themselves for future challenges by getting science and information technology related education.

“With the devolution of education and health departments to the provinces under the 18th amendment, the ANP-led government will formulate the people-friendly policies to boost education and improve healthcare facilities in the province,” the MPA said.

WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY: The district elementary and secondary education department in collaboration with the national commission of human development (NCHD) organised a function in the district headquarters complex Tajazai to mark the World Teachers’ Day.

ESED district officer Muhammad Ayyub was the chief guest at the function where ESED ADO (physical) Nisar Khan, principal Muzammil Khan, NCHD district programme managers Muhammad Illyas Khattak and Shafiuddin Khattak also turned up.