SWABI: Second-hand sweaters, shoes and various other items are a great blessing for the poverty-stricken people to keep themselves warm in winter because they could not afford high prices of the new garments.

This was observed during a visit to Swabi fair here on Thursday. With the arrival of winter, people have started search for sweaters, socks, joggers and leather shoes at the roadside stalls.

“Our earning season has started, which continues till end of January,” said Salim Khan, a seller of used shoes. Some local businessmen said they had booked consignments of winter clothes, shoes, etc in Lahore which would reach here soon.

People could be seen at the retail shops busy in buying woollies, quilts, bedcovers, blankets, etc. A new sweater could cost Rs4,000 while a fine sweater in the flea market could be acquired for Rs1,000.Similarly, a used, but good quality pair of shoes was available at Rs500 to Rs1,000.

ROAD MISHAP: One person was killed and three others were injured when a tractor trolley hit a motorcycle on Swabi-Jahangira road here on Thursday.

It was learnt that Hanifullah, Jalal Sher, Abid Khan and Sawar Ali were riding a motorcycle and when they reached near Zakaria Canal it collided with a tractor trolley.

As a result, Hanifullah who was driving the bike was killed on the spot and his three companions were seriously injured.

They were taken to Bacha Khan Hospital Complex, Shahmansoor. Police registered the case and have started search for the tractor driver.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute’s Alumni Association (GIKIA) has awarded scholarships worth Rs6.7 million to 15 academically brilliant, but financially needy students receiving education in various disciplines at the GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology.

Jehangir Bashar, rector of GIK Institute, thanked Irfanul Haq Chaudhry, president of GIKIA, and all other individuals who contributed to this effort to help the needy students.

He said that members of the alumni were true ambassadors of the institute.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2018