UPPER DIR, May 19: The Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) will provide free health insurance to 32,000 families under its micro-health programme of Bacha Khan Poverty Alleviation Project in eight union councils of Upper Dir, officials said.

It will also construct 114 latrines under the programme at poor people’s homes that don’t have the facility.

This was disclosed at a cheque distribution ceremony held here and attended among others by District Coordination Officer Riaz Khan Mehsud, SRSP district programme manager Noor Ajab and dozens of beneficiaries.

Addressing the audience, Riaz Mehsud said Rs25,000 were being given to 24  poor families whose heads had died. He said it was in addition to the financial support the NGO had been providing under its micro-health programme. On the occasion, Rs11,000 each were distributed among 114 families for construction of latrines at their homes. Some latrine materials were also provided to them.

Speaking on the occasion, Noor Ajab said they had constructed 640 latrines and provided insurance to 5,480 families last year. He said they would give insurance to 32,000 families this year.

CRICKET: Former Pakistan cricket player Abdul Qadir visited Upper Dir and watched matches of the ongoing district cricket association. He evaluated the players’ performance and appreciated them for playing in a ground that had no grass. “There is huge talent in the area but players don’t have facilities,” he regretted.

He said the players of Upper Dir, Swat and Charsadda needed to be given proper facilities to make it to the top level.

“Players here don’t have proper playing conditions and have no coach to teach them cricketing techniques, yet some of the players have played under-19 and first class cricket. It’s very encouraging,” he added.