Man killed over enmity

MANSEHRA, Jan 25: A man killed a former contender of provincially assembly seat over old enmity in Labarkot area here on Wednesday. Mohammad Hashim opened indiscriminate fire and critically injured Tughral Khan when he was present in a local graveyard for the burial another man.

The victim succumbed to injuries when he was being taken to Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad after emergency treatment at King Abdullah teaching hospital in Mansehra.

Sources said that one of the sons of Tughral Khan had killed Mohammad Banaras, the father of accused, in 1999 over a land dispute. Saddar police have lodged a case and started investigation. —Correspondent

Ban on bookstalls

PESHAWAR, Jan 25: The district administration has banned setting up of bookstalls near the venues of processions of 12th Rabiul Awwal and warned the violators of being charged under Section 188 of PPC.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Peshawar DCO Siraj Ahmed Khan stressed the need that all the religious groups should maintain the harmony and peace in the district. He said that foolproof security would be provided to the participants of all the processions on the occasion.

He also directed the officials of Town Municipal Administration (TMA-I) to ensure proper lighting and cleanliness on the routes of processions. He said that strict action would be taken against the officials failing to fulfil their duties. The ban on books stalls will remain enforced till Feb 5, thestatement said. — Bureau Report

Displaced children

PESHAWAR, Jan 25: The Pakistan Village Development Programme (PVDP) with the assistance of Unicef has launched a project for imparting basic education to 1,900 children of Durrani IDPs camp in Sadda area of Kurram Agency. The scheme is initiated under the child protection project of the organisation.

In this connection, the organisation has established 12 child friendly spaces in the camp where the children beside education facility will be provided sports and other facilities to help in their mental and physical growth, says a press release issued here on Wednesday.

According to team leader, PVDP, Mohammad Imran, experts will brief the children on the principles of cleanliness. He said that healthcare facilities are also available at the camp where facilities ranging from first aid to the provision of treatment for children and women will be provided. —Bureau Report

JI warns of protest

TIMERGARA, Jan, 25: The Lower Dir chapter of Jamaat-i-Islami on Wednesday threatened to launch protest against the government and Wapda authorities if fuel tax in charged electricity bills was not withdrawn.

Talking to local journalists, JI Dir Lower chief and former MNA Maulana Asadullah and press secretary Shafiullah said that fuel tax of Rs500 to Rs1,000 had been added to the recently distributed electricity bills.

They said the nation had been fed up of prolonged power outage. They said Wapda wanted to overcome its line losses and consumers were being heavily charged to meet the purpose. The JI leaders said that the party would move court and launch protest if the tax was not withdrawn. —Correspondent

Wapda workers continue strike

PESHAWAR, Jan 25: The workers of Pakistan Hydro Electric Central Labour Union continued protest for the third consecutive days against the privatisation of Wapda here on Wednesday.

The protesters had locked all the offices in the Wapda House and observed a sit-in against the government’s privatisation plan. The union’s central chairman, Gohar Taj, while speaking on the occasion said that government had failed to overcome the energy crisis and was making efforts to save its face by privatising lucrative institutions.

He said that the government’s plan was tantamount to snatching livelihood from the poor people and warned that the workers would not remain silent spectator but continue their protest. —Bureau Report

Ex-senator joins ANP

PESHAWAR, Jan 25: Former senator Bashir Matta along with his hundreds of supporters and relatives announced joining the Awami National Party. He made the announcement at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister House here on Wednesday.

Besides, the ceremony was also addressed by ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan and provincial president Afrasiab Khattak. Several leaders including Senator Haji Adeel, provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Ayub Khan Asharay also attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, Asfandyar Wali recalled that the services of Bashir Khan Matta and said that he had played significant role in preparation of party’s constitution and in the campaigns against Kalabagh Dam and for rights of Pakhtuns. —Bureau Report