MANSEHRA, Feb 1: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has granted the status of a tax-free zone to Torghar district and provided a grant of Rs40 million for its development, said local MNA Laiq Mohammad Khan on Friday.

Mr Khan told reporters in Oghi area here that he and divisional president of Pakistan People’s Party and MPA Shuja Salim Khan led a delegation of people from Mansehra and Torghar districts to a meeting with the prime minister in Islamabad on Thursday.

He said the visitors apprised the prime minister of the problems faced by the residents of the two districts and demanded his intervention for their resolution.

The MNA said besides granting the status of a tax-free zone and providing Rs40 million grant to Torghar, the prime minister also announced during the meeting the gas supply to Jallu, Lassain Nawab and Tanawal areas of Mansehra district.

He said the prime minister wanted speedy development in Torghar, where the people were denied basic facilities, including health services and education.

Mr Khan said work on the district administration offices, roads and health and education facilities was in full swing in Torghar and the time was not far when the people would enjoy services.

“I am optimistic that the grant of the tax-free zone status to the district would help address the local residents’ prolonged deprivation,” he said.

It is learnt that Shuja Salim invited the prime minister to visit Mansehra and the invitation was accepted by the prime minister, who said he would go to the district soon.

HEC DISSOLUTION OPPOSED: The management, teachers and administrative staff of Hazara University on Friday demanded of the government not to scrap Higher Education Commission, saying the commission had produced quality researchers and scholars since its creation a decade ago.

The demand was made during a meeting of the staff here through various resolutions.

The participants said the proposed amendments to the law in this respect was aimed at further curtailing the HEC autonomy and therefore, their approval would adversely affect the commission’s functions and plans.

ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE: A man was killed and another suffered critical injuries after their truck carrying buffaloes overturned in Dara area here on Thursday night. Four buffaloes were died in the accident caused by speeding.

The deceased was identified as animal trader. The injured, Mohammad Tufail, was shifted to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, where his condition was stated be critical.