LG Act extended to Fata

PESHAWAR, Jan 18: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act 2012 was extended to the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas here on Friday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kusar extended the act to Fata with the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The law has already been implemented in the province on January 1. The home and tribal affairs department issued a formal notification in this regard, according to a press release.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioners of all districts were authorised to issue domicile certificates as per the past the practice. The deputy commissioners were directed to maintain proper record and registers in a befitting manner.—Bureau Report

Injured outlaw dies

MANSEHRA, Jan 18: The ringleader of a notorious gang of outlaws who was injured in a police encounter succumbed to his injuries in hospital here on Friday.

Sikander alias Kanda wanted to police in cases of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping for ransom was arrested along with seven other outlaws during an operation in Danna area on Thursday.

The injured ringleader was shifted to Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad on Thursday evening after he received bullet injuries on his abdomen.

The body was handed over to relatives from hospital which was taken to his native Phulkot area.  Sikandar was wanted in 14 cases of heinous nature alone in Mansehra since 2000.—Correspondent

Bulletproofing of police vans

PESHAWAR, Jan 18: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home department has approved a plan to overhaul 274 police mobile vans turning them bulletproof in the wake of security situation in the province.

According to a spokesperson, the decision was taken the other day to boost deterrence of police force in the wake of growing threats and attacks on police vans.

He said that the armour plating of police vans and jeeps would enhance performance of the police force, adding that around Rs2 billion would be spent on the project.

Inspector General (IG) KP Akbar Hoti had proposed to reinforce police vehicles to make them less vulnerable to the intermittent IED blasts and ambushes.—APP

Christian community’s concern

MARDAN, Jan 18: The Christian community of Mardan district has demanded stern action against elements who allegedly blackmailed and abused master Andaryas and bishop Peter Sarfaraz.

The members of Christian community led by Shamoan Maseh, priest Ghulam Shaad, Amanat Maseh, Amanoal Maseh, Jamshed Maseh and Nadeem Maseh made the demand at a press conference at Mardan Press Club on Friday.

They alleged that a man identified as Tamur Shahid was blackmailing and leveling baseless allegations against the leaders of Christian community in order to stop reconstruction work on the church which was burnt by the angry mob in September 2012. They alleged that some influential persons were behind Tamur Shahid and demanded of the authorities concerned to deal with iron hands those who were involved in the matter.—Correspondent

NAB inquiry against fraudsters

PESHAWAR, Jan 18: NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has started inquiry against the owners and employees of Life Medicine Company (LMC) in Doaba area of Hangu for cheating public at large.

NAB KP on a tip-off from the local administration arrested the owners and employees of LMC Doaba and during the initial inquiry it was revealed that they collected billions of rupees from innocent people of Hangu and its surrounding areas on the pretext of giving them exorbitant profits and interest of Rs30,000 per Rs100,000 in just 55 to 60 days, according to a press release issued here on Friday.

Scrutiny of the documents further revealed that these fraudulent persons deprived innocent people of billions of rupees. The modus operandi adopted was that they were paying high interest rate on regular basis to establish confidence of investors. —APP

‘SC can’t remove PM’

KOHAT, Jan 18: The youth wing of Pakistan People’s Party believes that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is innocent and wants all charges against him dropped forthwith.

Addressing a rally at Martyrs Square here on Friday, the youth wing president Bilal Hussain remarked that Raja Pervez Ashraf was the second victim of the Supreme Court’s verdict ‘which had proved that the PPP was once again being pushed to the wall’.

He said they would not allow the arrest of the prime minister, adding the prime minister could only be removed from office through an in-house change. —Correspondent