PESHAWAR, July 15: The meteorological office, which is supposed to provide latest forecast on weather conditions to media, has become a worthless institution.

In the wake of blistering heatwave, which gripped the provincial capital and its suburbs on Monday, this correspondent contacted the Met office to get weather forecast. But the official there had nothing to offer.

“There is a complete ban on providing weather reports to the press people. You should contact the radio and TV staff for it,” was the Met office’s reply.

The Met office has also the responsibility to furnish information about rain, temperatures etc., but one wonders why these people are so reluctant to release such details.

As a rule, they are required to give the information to press reporters on their own because the people come to know about the weather condition through newspapers.

The people, especially those living in rural areas, depend on newspapers for such information. It is wrong to think that TV and radio are enough for such news.