Action against officials ordered
PESHAWAR, Jan 28: The Public Accounts Committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has ordered recovery of outstanding dues from government officials who did not pay house rent to the provincial exchequer.
The audit paras tabled before the PAC on Monday revealed that officials occupied government residences but did not pay house rent.Speaker Karamatullah Khan Chagharmatti, who is chairman of the committee, presided over the meeting, according to a press release.
The committee scrutinised audits of the administration department for the year 2010-11 and 2009-10, which unearthed embezzlement in maintenance, petrol, oil and lubricants of the official vehicles. The committee directed secretary administration to register FIR against officers and employees involved in the scam. The committee was informed that many officers who had been transferred had yet to vacate official residences.—Bureau Report
Police harassment of Afghans
PESHAWAR, Jan 28: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has directed the police department not to harass Afghan nationals.
In a statement on Monday the home and tribal affairs department took serious notice of police even harassing those Afghans having valid documents of stay. In some cases, police subjected the Afghan nationals to pay extortion money.
“Since it is a violation of human rights and tripartite agreement signed among governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR, therefore, such kind of cases bring a bad name to the country in international community,” the statement observed.
The statement said the provincial police chief had been asked to probe such incidents and take necessary action against guilty policemen.—Bureau Report
Famous polo player dies
CHITRAL, Jan 28: Renowned polo player Sardar Ahmed Khan died due to cardiac failure here on Monday. He was 60.
Sardar Ahmed had the distinction of winning Chitral the Shandur polo cup. He represented Chitral team in the Shandur festival against Giglit for more than two decades and was still quite fit for playing in his early sixties.
A former polo player Taj Mohammad Figar recalled that Sardar Ahmed was declared as best player in the district polo tournament in 1974 when he was a young player.
Captain of Chitral polo team Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk termed his death as irreparable loss to the sport of polo. He said in the Shandur polo ground Sardar Ahmed would remain steadfast when others faltered under the pressure of Gigit team.
The deceased left behind two sons and two daughters and a widow.—Correspondent
NAB recovers looted money
PESHAWAR, Jan 28: The National Accountability Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, distributed over Rs3 million among 88 people who had been deprived of the amount by two fraudsters, at a ceremony held here on Monday.
Nasim Nadir, former managing director of Overseas Educational Promotion Liaison (OEPL), Peshawar, on the pretext of providing education/employment abroad lured a number of students and deprived them of their hard earned money.
In another case, accused Mohammad Ashfaq Kahn looted intending pilgrims on the pretext of sending them to perform Haj on cheaper rates.The NAB has arrested both the accused. NAB KP director general Col (retd) Khurshid Alam handed over the cheques to the affected people.He advised the people to be vigilant and check credentials of such investment companies before investing their money.—Bureau Report
Condolence reference
TIMERGARA, Jan 28: Speakers at a condolence reference urged the lawyers’ community to follow footsteps of Jamil Khan advocate, who was murdered by militants on January 24, 2009 after being kidnapped.
The reference was organised by the Shuhada Memorial Committee and the district bar on Monday.
Prominent lawyers, ANP district president Hussain Shah Yousafzai, PPP president Khurshid Ali Khan, former district nazim, provincial president Awami Workers’ Party Shahab Khattak, poets and others spoke on the occasion.
Speakers said Jamil Khan was a brave and humanity-loving person and was popular in legal fraternity for his liberal thoughts and ideas.The speakers said the deceased set an example of bravery before terrorists that later gave courage to his colleagues. Participants also offered Fateha for the departed soul.—Correspondent
Malik Saad’s death anniversary
KOHAT, Jan 28: The sixth death anniversary of former capital city police officer, Peshawar, Malik Saad was observed here on Monday.Malik Saad had died in a suicide attack on January 27, 2007 at Dhaki Dalgran, Peshawar. An inspector, Khan Raziq, was also among the victims.
Schoolchildren lit candles at the rescue 15 centre which has been named after the slain officer. Later, a police contingent presented salute of honour to the officer at his grave.
Meanwhile, the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat on Monday staged a protest in front of the Kohat Press Club against targeted killings in Karachi.The protest was addressed local chief of ASWJ Obaidullah Haidri, Fayyaz Haideri, Hamayun Pehlawan of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and Mahmoodul Islam advocate.—Correspondent
Political reforms in Fata
KHAR, Jan 28: MNA from Bajaur Agency Syed Akhunzada Chattan on Monday said the federal government was making all out efforts to extend constitutional rights to the people of Fata.
Speaking at a public meeting at Shah Nari area here, he said a comprehensive development package would be announced for the tribal agencies soon. He said the PPP-led federal government was taking keen interest in provision of basic rights to the tribesmen.
“The government is aware of the problems of the tribesmen and taking steps to resolve the issues in an effective way,” he added. Mr Chattan said political reforms initiated in Fata were a remarkable achievement of the PPP government.
Akhunzada Chattan said political activities were vital for maintaining peace and normalcy in the militancy-hit tribal area. Dozens of tribesmen announced to join PPP on the occasion.—Correspondent