Ex-workers hold demo

PESHAWAR, Nov 17: The retired employees of various government departments on Thursday held a protest demonstration at Sher Shah Suri Road against the delay in increase of pension. They demanded provision of allowances being given to the serving workers.

The senior citizens were holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands. Talking to media persons the leaders of All Pakistan Civil Pensioners Association said they had already met the concerned government authorities and presented their demands but to no effect. The charter of demands, they said included merger of all allowances into pension, allocation of 30 per cent job quota for workers’ siblings, implementation of the 1989 residential plots policy, establishment of healthcare centres, approval of all medical bills and special annual allowances on eve of religious festivals.—Bureau Report

Toll plaza abolished

PESHAWAR, Nov 17: The National Highway Authority has abolished its toll plaza located on the highway near Sher Garh, Mardan, following orders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti.

A statement issued here on Thursday said the action was taken on the complaints of people belonging to Malakand and Mardan divisions, who had demanded of the CM to abolish the toll plaza. The CM, keeping in view people’s difficulties, contacted Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Communication Senator Zahid Khan and chairman NHA and recommended abolition of the toll plaza.—Bureau Report

PO arrested in Karak

KARAK, Nov 17: Police on Thursday arrested the most wanted proclaimed offender along with weapon.

The Terri police, on the directives of the DPO, raided the hideout of the most wanted PO Amir Aziz alias Mero at a hilly area, and arrested him with weapon. He was wanted in cases of kidnapping, murder and attempted murder and other heinous crimes.

Meanwhile, the clerks association on Thursday elected Mohammad Nazeer as president for the second consecutive term and Mohammad Mushtaq as general secretary. The other office-bearers of the association included Shah Noor senior vice-president, Asmatul Aziz vice-president, Waseeullah vice-president, Azhar Kamal vice-president, Akramuddin deputy general secretary, Mumtaz finance secretary, Khalid Azmat press secretary and Lal Bat Khan office secretary.—Correspondent

Road construction

KOHAT, Nov 17: The commissioner Kohat division has asked the officials of Frontier Highway Authority (FHA) to expedite work on the Kohat-Hangu Highway and complete it within stipulated time.

Chairing a high level meeting to review progress on the highway on Thursday he asked the FHA to make timely payments to the contractor and remove four electricity poles hindering construction work. The FHA informed the commissioner that 36 per cent work had been completed on the highway and the rest would also be completed within time.

The commissioner said the chief minister during a visit to Kohat had expressed anger over the slow pace of work on the road.—Correspondent

Muharram security

PESHAWAR, Nov 17: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP Mohammad Akbar Khan Hoti, while chairing a high-level meeting on Thursday, directed DIGs to ensure that Muharram processions were taken out and culminated on fixed times and only on selected routes.

The IGP directed the police high ups to further improve intelligence network and maintain utmost vigilance and take stringent measures for peaceful observance of Muharram. The police chief pointed out that peaceful observance of Muharram was going to be very difficult exercise this time as “we have traditionally some districts like Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu and D.I. Khan which are the most volatile places”.—Bureau Report