Two killed in Kohat

KOHAT, Jan 29: Two people were killed and as many were injured in separate incidents here on Sunday.

Kashif Ali Khan was killed and his brother Basharat was injured in firing by their rivals in Tappi area on Bannu road. The accused escaped from the scene. The body and the injured were shifted to women and children hospital for autopsy and treatment by the police. A case was lodged against the accused in the Saddar police station on the complaint of the injured Basharat.

In a road accident on the Indus Highway a Kohat-bound car number E-5148 collided head-on with a truck number ACC-729-Sindh. The driver of the car, Said Mohammad, died on the spot while his companion Hamayun was shifted to KDA divisional headquarters hospital. The deceased belonged to Muslimabad area of Kohat.

The Riaz Khan Shaeed police registered case and impounding both the vehicles.—Correspondent

Water supply scheme

MANSEHRA, Jan 29: The UNHCR with the financial assistance of the Japan government has provided potable water to Afghan refugee camp in Ichrian.

More than two hundred Afghan refugee families would be benefited by the water supply scheme, which was inaugurated on Sunday.

Officials of the UNHCR and Afghan Commissionorate and locals attended the meeting.

The water supply scheme has been constructed by Pakistan Community Development Programme (PCDP).

Speaking on the occasion country coordinator PCDP Kamaluddin, Tanveer Shah and others said women were suffering because of the non-availability of water at the camp, which forced them to fetch it from nearby mountains.

They said another water supply scheme was in the pipeline for the Afghan population living in the district.

The Afghan refugees also apprised the participants about the problems faced by the women and children at the camp.—Correspondent

Nadra workers hold demo

PESHAWAR, Jan 29: Nadra Employees Union (NEU) on Sunday asked the government to stop exploitation of the employees.

Dozens of Nadra employees staged protest demonstration at Sher Shah Suri road near Peshawar Press Club, holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the government and in favour of their demands.

President of NEU Mohammad Saleem told journalists that prior to launching of the project of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the government had pledged to award additional incentives for preparing the data. However, despite the lapse of two months, they were not paid a single penny.

They said official time in government departments was from 9am to 5pm but Nadra employees started work from 8am, he said, adding the high ups in Nadra had not allowed the employees to take lunch and prayer break for the convenience of the masses.—Bureau Report

Health dept’s role criticised

BATKHELA, Jan 29: The District Coordination Officer Syed Abdul Jabbar has expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the health department during previous anti-polio campaigns.

He was speaking at a ceremony after inaugurating anti-polio campaign in the area. EPI coordinator Dr Zubair Ahmad, Dr Rahim and other officials were also present. The DCO administered polio drops to children. He said parents refusing vaccinating of their children against polio were either unaware or not informed about its harms.

“It is a failure of the health department that has not properly convinced the public,” the DCO said, warning that strict action would be taken against those who were found negligent in this regard.

Dr Rahim said 112,000 children would be vaccinated during the drive for which 328 mobile, 41 fixed and 15 transit teams had been formed.

He said there had been no polio case in Malakand protected area since 2002, however, cases in neighbouring areas were creating fear.—Correspondent

Anti-polio drive

KHAR, Jan 29: Bajaur Agency Surgeon Dr Jahanzeb Dawar has said that total 210,855 children would get anti-polio drops during the campaign starting from Monday.

Attending a briefing in Khar on Sunday he said that 570 mobile teams had been constituted which would run a door-to-door campaign in the agency. He said 15 transit teams had also been set up at various points.

He said the health department had already completed preparations in this regard, and warned that negligence no part of health workers would not be tolerated.

Earlier, political agent Islam Zeb Khan inaugurated polio vaccination campaign.

The political agent urged people, ulema, civil society members and officials to cooperate with the health workers to make the campaign a success. He said several meetings had already been arranged with the local elders and ulema, who had assured their support for the upcoming campaign.—Correspondent

Squash championship

ABBOTTABAD, Jan 29: Riffat Khan of Zari Tariqiati Bank (ZTBL) won the first Khyber Pakhtunkhwa National Women Squash Championship after defeating her close rival Sadia Gul of Pakistan Wapda in the final played here at Jan Sher Khan Squash Complex on Sunday.

The match lasted for an hour and both the players entertained the crowd with their skillful shots. Riffat Khan, who recently won the National U19 title, defeated tall but well built Sadia by 11-6, 8-11, 11-4 and 11-9.

Riffat Khan was too good in her long rallies and calculated drops but on the other hand Said showed some of backhand deadly drops which kept her in the game and she proved the best retriever with her smart footwork.

In the semi-finals played the other day, Riffat Khan defeated Samar Anjum by 3-0 while Sadia Gul defeated Zoya Khalid by 3-2. MNA Farzana Mushtaq was chief guest and distributed prizes among the finalists.—Correspondent

Funfair at private school

PESHAWAR, Jan 29: A funfair and bonfire was organised on Sunday by a private school participated by a number of students and their parents.

Shagufta Gull, principal, Lahore Grammar School, Peshawar branch, inaugurated the funfair at Hayatabad, which is aimed at engaging students in extracurricular activities.

The school was beautifully decorated on the occasion. Children had coloured their faces with different cartoons and flags. They performed dances with Pashto and Urdu tunes as well. Food stalls were also set up to serve the participants. Dancing was also part of the funfair.

Shagufta Gull said as the examinations just got over, it was time to provide students some relaxation and amusement. She said through this practice students got an opportunity to play and dance together which will enhance their physical and mental abilities. Provision of healthy environment will make them confident, remarked Shagufta Gull.—Bureau Report