Weapons for Bannu jail

ESHAWAR, Sept 29: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has directed the DIG police, Bannu range, to provide necessary arms and ammunition as required to the central prison, Bannu on urgent basis.

“Provide the weapons on stop-gap arrangements and purely on temporary basis till the purchase of arms and ammunition by the jail authorities, after which the same armoury will be returned to the police,” said a statement issued by home and tribal affairs department here on Saturday.

It was stated that an annual development programme (ADP) was being finalised to purchase arms and ammunition to enhance security of jails in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hence, the regional police have been asked to cooperate with Bannu jail administration for the time being.—Bureau Report

Fake beverages, crude oil seized

KOHAT, Sept 29: The police seized fake beverages and crude oil in separate raids from factories in Kamal Khel, Bilitang and mills areas on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off the Bilitang police searched a shop from where it recovered three drums of crude oil and 40 litres of petrol. The owners of the business, Naimatullah, Saleem Khan, Imtiaz and Hazart Noor were arrested.

The police registered case against the accused and launched investigations.

Last week, the police had seized crude oil and petrol in Shakardarra and it was learnt that somebody had sold it in the market after stealing it from the local OGDCL wells.

Meanwhile, the Saddar and Bilitang police raided factories in Kamal Khel area and recovered 492 bottles of international brand of beverages, 1,250 packets of candies, 216 boxes of biscuits and four gallons of soda water. The owners, Khalil Zaman and Ayaz Khan, were also arrested and cases were lodged against them.—Correspondent

House looted in Mansehra

MANSEHRA, Sept 29: Armed robbers deprived a family of cash and gold worth over Rs1 million in Mundiar area on Friday night.

Mohammad Khursheed while registering FIR with the police stated that eight robbers barged into his house and after locking his family members in a room took away Rs400,000 cash, gold ornaments and other valuables.

The Saddar police after lodging FIR started investigation to apprehend the culprits. The cases of robberies are on rise in the city and its adjoining areas as robbers looted houses of a lady doctor and a principal in the same fashion last week.

Another robbery attempt was foiled by the administration of Jinnah College in city area after exchange of fire last week.—Correspondent

New police patrol posts

PESHAWAR, Sept 29: In order to ensure provision of maximum security to the lives and properties of the people, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will establish nine patrolling police posts in Mansehra district.

According to a statement issued from the home and tribal affairs department here on Saturday, the government directed the provincial police officer for submission of a case to the home department indicating creation of new posts, purchase of arms and ammunitions, liveries, vehicles and equipments, and all the financial implications.

It was stated that the government was using all avenues to ensure provision of maximum security throughout the province.—Bureau Report

Putin’s visit cancellation

PESHAWAR, Sept 29: Chief of his own faction of Pakistan People’s Party Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao termed the cancellation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pakistan a severe setback.

In a statement on Saturday, he asked the government to correct the wrongdoings that led to the cancellation of his long-awaited tour to Pakistan. He termed it unfortunate for the country and said Mr Putin would have been the first-ever Russian president to visit Pakistan.

Highlighting Russia’s importance in the region, he said Moscow was a key player in the region that could play a prominent and positive role in the ongoing peace process and development of the region.

He asked the foreign office to determine why the Russian president cancelled his plan and also tell the nation about the reasons. He said Moscow felt disappointed over the Pakistan’s bleak response to various vital projects, including energy, in which Russia was interested. —Bureau Report   

Health projects in Bajaur

KHAR, Sept 29: Bajaur Agency political agent Abdul Jabar Shah on Saturday said work on mega health projects in the militancy hit areas would begin soon.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of newly rebuilt community health centre at Lovi Sam area of Khar tehsil, he said the healthcare facilities and other sectors of life were destroyed by militants in the agency. He said the reconstruction and rehabilitation work on the damaged health centres would begin soon to ensure provision of basic healthcare to the people.

Tribal elders, senior officials of the political administration and the health department attended the ceremony. The community health centre (CHC) has been reconstructed with the financial assistance of a non-governmental organisation. The elders on the occasion assured the political agent of their continued cooperation with the administration for eliminating militants from the agency.—Correspondent

‘Injustice’ with doctor protested

MARDAN, Sept 29: The Young Doctors Association, Mardan chapter, on Saturday threatened to stage protest demonstration against local administration if it didn’t stop injustice with Dr Mohammad Tahir Khan, the medical superintendent of district headquarters hospital.

According to a press release issued here on Saturday, the YDA president Dr Hazrat Wahid, senior vice-president Dr Hidayat, general secretary Dr Naseer and information secretary Mohammad Younas said the district administration had been creating hurdles in the way of Mohammad Tahir while performing his duty as MS of the DHQ hospital Mardan.

They said such behaviour of the district administration had created unrest among the doctors fraternity.

They, however, demanded of the chief justice of Peshawar High Court, chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and provincial minister for health to take notice of the matter. They also warned to launch protest against the authorities concerned if the injustice with MS was not done away with.—Correspondent