LAKKI MARWAT, Sept 30: Pakistan Muslim League-Likeminded chairman Salim Saifullah Khan has said that corruption has weakened the state institutions and pushed the country into the quagmire of unending crises.

Addressing a function in Asmatabad area in Ghaznikhel on Sunday, he said that people had no option but to pay bribe to get their lawful work done. “There is dire need of getting rid of the prevailing corrupt system as soon as possible,” he added.

The function was organised by the village committee to highlight problems of the area. The office-bearers of the committee including Farmanullah, Ashrafullah, Ihsanllah and Imran spoke about the problems faced by the residents of the area and demanded their early resolution.

Mr Khan said that only people could change the corrupt system into a transparent one with the power of vote. He called upon youths to be aware of the country’s political scenario and avoid providing an opportunity to a cricketer-cum-politician to trap them in the name of bringing change.

“Politics and cricket are two separate fields,” he said, adding that no one could deceive youth by exploiting their love for game to reach the corridors of power.

Mr Khan claimed that he and his brothers spread a net of development schemes during the last four and a half years to provide basic amenities to the residents of district at their doorsteps.

“Besides providing employment opportunities to jobless youth, the small and mega uplift projects brought the district at par with developed parts of the province,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of education, the PML leader said that education was key to progress and development. He urged people to impart education to their children at all costs.

Later, Mr Khan inaugurated a water supply scheme in Gulbaz Dehqan and installation of a power transformer in Tajazai grid station.

Lakki District Bar Association president Nimatullah Khan, Ameer Mashal Khan and Abdul Saboor Tajazai were also present on the occasion.

MAN KILLED: A man was killed and his nephew sustained injuries when their rivals opened firing on them at Paharkhel Thall village.

Police said that Sifatullah was killed and his nephew injured when Sher Nawaz and Mehmood opened firing on them. The body and injured were taken to City Hospital.

Meanwhile, police arrested three men in injured condition after exchange of fire in Masha Mansoor area the other night. “A police party of Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police station was attacked by three armed motorcyclists on Masha Mansoor road when it signalled them to stop,” said an official.

He said that policemen retaliated but the attackers disappeared taking advantage of darkness. He said that the attackers were later arrested in injured condition and were shifted to a local hospital.