GILGIT, July 17: The Northern Areas Education Department has cancelled the tenders for acquisition of computers to equip the newly-established information technology laboratories in its four centres at Gilgit and Skardu.

Sources told Dawn that Rs30.5 million tenders were approved a week ago for the purchase of computers and other accessories, but later the successful bidders were informed of the cancellation as they had failed to produce the ISO certification.

They said the IT centres were being run without laboratories for the last six months, which irked the students. Many students had already quit the centres due to the same reason, they added.

The sources said: “This is the second time the tenders have been cancelled, which jeopardizes the future of IT students in the Northern Areas.”

PO NABBED: Diamer police have arrested a proclaimed offender in Darel, 250km south of Gilgit.

Moulvi Imam Hussain had kidnapped a girl some two years ago.

The accused, the police said, abducted Humera, a cousin of his ex-wife, when she had sought divorce over a property feud.

He had kidnapped Humera to settle a score with his former in-laws and absconded, they said.

The police also recovered Humera during the raid at his house on a tip-off.