TIMERGARA: The Pakistan Peoples Party activists from Lower Dir on Monday demanded of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited to remove taxes from gas bills, saying Malakand division, including their district, was a tax-free zone.

They said that Malakand division had been a tax-free zone but the SNGPL had included various taxes in its utility bills.

Accompanied by the residents of Nawy Kalay area, PPP district information secretary Alam Zeb, village council naib-nazim Shahab Utmani and leader Mohammad Shoaib told reporters at the Timergara Press Club that the SNGPL had sent inflated bills to its clients for the month of January.

They said Khungi area’s Mahabat Shah got Rs52,000 gas bill, labourer Naeemullah Rs45,000, Class IV employee Daulat Khan Rs24,000, Ghani Khan Rs12,000 and Attaullah Rs7,000 despite consuming little gas.

PPP activists say their district is part of tax-free zone

The PPP activists said the consumers would ultimately opt for the disconnection of gas supply for being unable to pay inflated bills.

EXAM: The annual Secondary School Certificate examination to be conducted by the Malakand Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education will begin on Mar 14.

BISE controller of examination Prof Jamil Ahmad told reporters in Chakdara that all arrangements for the exam had been finalised.

He said 90,700 candidates would sit the examination for which 401 centres had been established and 2,300 would act as invigilators and superintendents.

Prof Jamil said CCTV cameras had been installed at examination centres to check cheating by students and malpractices by examination staff.

He said strict action would be taken against the heads of the schools, where cheating was reported.

WALK: The Olasi Khair Khegara Falahi Tanzeem and local police jointly organised a walk in Ouch area against drugs and usury.

Carrying banners and placards and shouting slogans, doctors, teachers, students and elders actively took part in the walk.

The speakers said the society should go for the ‘social boycott’ of drug traders and usurers to prevent poor people from their exploitation.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2019