Scores held in Lakki operation

LAKKI MARWAT, Aug 3: Police claimed on Friday to have arrested scores of outlaws, including militants, in a special offensive launched against criminals gangs and anti-social elements in the district last month.

An official said on Friday under the command of District Police Officer Umar Riaz the law enforcers eliminated hideouts of militants in several parts of the district. He said that seven militants wanted by police in Shah Hasankhel suicide blast and other cases of subversive acts were arrested.

He said police also captured 96 proclaimed offenders in surprise raids. Besides 623 suspects were held and shifted to police stations for interrogation and identification purposes,” the official maintained.

He said the law enforcers also seized 23kg explosives, 11 Kalashnikovs, 3 Kalakovs, 8 rifles, 36 shotguns, 62 pistols, 3,977 bullets, 5.265kg hashish and a small quantity of heroin from anti-social elements and registered cases against them.—Correspondent

More people join ANP

PESHAWAR, Aug 3: Several families led by chief of Bazidkhel Qaumi Lashkar Asif Khan and Dr Nabeela, daughter of slain head of the peace body, Fahim-ur-Rehman, on Friday quit PML-Q and joined ANP.

They took the decision at a meeting with leaders of ANP, including provincial president Senator Afrasiab Khattak here. The ANP leader paid rich tributes to the deceased nazim and head of the peace body for the efforts he made against militants during the past four years.

He said those rendered sacrifices of lives for the protection of the soil would always be remembered. He welcomed the family members of Fahim-ur-Rehman in the ANP and assured them of full support in solution to their problems.

Mr Khattak said despite shortage of resources the provincial government was trying to overcome the problems of health, education, energy.

He said efforts would continue for welfare of the people.—Bureau Report

Man shot dead

KOHAT, Aug 3: A man was shot dead and his son was seriously injured over a petty dispute in Musa Khel area on Friday.

The victim, Lal Khan, and his son, Ajmer, were watering their fields when they were asked by the accused Shakeel to stop doing so. On their refusal, the accused opened fire on them, killing Lal Khan on the spot and seriously injuring his son Ajmer. He was admitted to KDA divisional headquarters hospital. Police registered FIR on the complaint of the injured.

Meanwhile, the traffic police collected huge fine Rs716,800 by issuing tickets to 3,434 vehicles during the month of July in a special campaign. Traffic warden Khaliq Nawaz remained at the top who collected a fine of Rs123,400.

On the other hand, the assistant commissioner, Kohat distributed uniform, books and clothes among the children in the local child protection unit.—Correspondent

Proposed APC termed a drama

TIMERGARA, Aug 3: Terming the ANP’s call for holding an all party conference on loadshedding issue as a new drama, central leader of the Pakistan People’s Party-S Bakht Baidar Khan on Friday asked opposition parties to keep away from the APC.

Speaking at a news conference at the Chakdara Press Club along with other party leaders, Mr Khan said ANP wanted to make politics on energy crisis.

He also reminded the ANP of its promise of providing 100 units of electricity to every Pakhtun household free of cost.

Meanwhile, the security forces and Lower Dir police claimed to have repulsed an attack on Shagai police post on Thursday night.

Talking to journalists, security officials said militants attacked a police checkpost at Shagai Maidan with rockets, but there was no casualty as the shells landed away from the post. The security forces immediately moved towards the site and the militants fled the scene, they added.—Correspondent

Ice blocks seized

LAKKI MARWAT, Aug 3: Police seized ice blocks from four pickup trucks near the border with Bannu district on Indus Highway the other day.

A police official said that after imposition of ban on transportation of ice to other districts under section 144 CRPC, the area police was directed to implement the ban in letter and spirit and ensure availability of ice in the district.

He said that a contingent of Dadiwala police stopped four pickup truckers on Indus Highway and seized 59 ice blocks from them.

Meanwhile, police arrested a dreaded proclaimed absconder during a raid in Shah Hasankhel village. He said that the arrested outlaw identified as Nawab Khan was wanted in several cases of heinous nature. — Correspondent

IDP families relocate to SWA

PESHAWAR, Aug 3: In all 9,291 internally displaced families comprising 42,504 individuals have resettled in their native areas after restoration of peace in South Waziristan Agency bordering Afghanistan, said an official of Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) here on Friday.

Over 44,000 families were displaced from their native towns and homes due to military offensive against militants in the Pak-Afghan border areas.

The internally displaced persons had moved in with their relatives residing in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank areas. The FDMA stated that the 9,291 families had shifted back to their hometowns in Sarokai and Ladha areas of South Waziristan.

Around 10,672 men, 11,133 women and 20,699 children make up the 9,291 families who have moved back to their native places.—APP

Prisoners to cast vote

PESHAWAR, Aug 3: The home and tribal affairs department on Friday asked Inspector General of Prisons, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to allow prisoners to use their right of vote through postal ballet in the forthcoming by-poll in PK-76.

The seat became vacant over the death of Member Provincial Assembly Ziad Akram Khan Durrani, son of Leader of Opposition in Provincial Assembly Akram Khan Durrani.—APP

IT labs in schools

PESHAWAR, Aug 3: Minister for Education Sardar Hussein Babak has directed all executive district officers of education to recommend names of schools for establishment of IT labs and lists of teachers for promotion.

The provincial minister issued these directives while presiding over a meeting of EDOs here on Friday. The meeting was also attended by secretary education and director education.

The provincial minister also directed the EDOs for taking immediate action against the absent teachers. He said for provision of science labs, all officers should be directed for better utilisation of funds, constitution of governing bodies for schools and convening of their meetings on regular basis. The reports of such meetings, he said should be formally sent to the directorate.

He also directed initiating practical measures for bringing more transparency in the recruitment of teachers to meet the requirements of justice and equality.—APP