Call to remove encroachments

LAKKI MARWAT, Feb 7: Residents of Naurang town have demanded of the district administration to remove encroachments in Naurang city and launch action against encroachers.

Talking to Dawn here on Thursday, they said that both sides of the road had been occupied by the vendors, who had set up makeshift shops and temporary kiosks there.

“Illegally built structures also hamper ongoing work on widening of road connecting Bannu with Mianwali and D.I. Khan districts through Naurang town,” they said.

They maintained that encroachments also caused traffic mess in the city and the transporters and pedestrians were confronted with numerous problems. They said that encroachments were also rampant in markets and bazaars in the city and the authorities concerned seemed helpless in this regard.

They demanded of the district administration to take notice of the issue and take immediate action. — Correspondent

Traders protest municipal tax

MANSEHRA, Feb 7: Traders took to streets here on Thursday against the imposition of loading and unloading tax by the local municipal committee.

The traders led by Haroonur Rasheed, the central president of traders body, gathered outside the MC office and raised slogans in support of their demand.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rasheed said that traders would not pay the newly imposed tax in city areas.

He said that if the chief minister attempted to levy the tax forcibly, they would resist it as, he added, it was unjustified and against the basic human rights. Later, the traders also met the municipal high-ups and apprised them of their decision that they would not pay the said tax. —Correspondent

Prize distribution ceremony

PESHAWAR, Feb 7: Speakers here on Thursday urged the students to work hard and prepare themselves for the challenges posed by advancement in the field of education.

“We have to prepare out students on modern lines so that they could meet the future challenges,” said Professor Mohammad Rasool Jan, vice-chancellor, University of Peshawar.

Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony at the University Public School (UPS) here on Thursday, he urged the students to take part in extracurricular activities along with their studies so that they could remain healthy and serve the nation in a better way.

UPS principal Gul Hameed Khan appreciated the outstanding students and urged them to further concentrate on their studies to perform better at higher levels. “We are proud of our students because they work hard and respect their teachers,” he said. Later, Prof Rasool Jan gave away the prizes to the outstanding students. —Bureau Report

Renovation of town hall

PESHAWAR, Feb 7: Chief Minister Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti has said that the historical Town Hall Mardan will be renovated as per the aspirations of the people of the district.

The project will cost Rs18.2 million. He expressed these views while inaugurating renovation work on the town hall.

Commissioner Mardan Kifayatullah, Deputy Commissioner Zakaullah Khattak, ANP Mardan office-bearers and notables of the area were present on the occasion.

The CM said that other facilities at the town hall would also be made compatible with modern needs and demands so that the hall could be utilised for various purposes.—APP

Smuggling bids foiled

PESHAWAR, Feb 7: The district police on Thursday foiled two separate attempts to smuggle arms and narcotics in the jurisdictions of Hayatabad and Khan Raziq police stations and arrested two accused.

According to police, Hayatabad police during snap checking at Karkhano checkpost recovered 4kg heroin from an Afghan woman. The woman was trying to smuggle the contraband into Peshawar from Jalalabad. She was taken into custody.

In another incident, police recovered 17 pistols and hundreds of cartridges from a car in the jurisdiction of Khan Raziq police station. The alleged smuggler, Shah Nazar of Maryamzai, was arrested. —APP

PPP election tickets

TIMERGARA, Feb 7: Two groups have emerged in Pakistan People’s Party for the four provincial and one National Assembly seats from Lower Dir district.One group is led by PPP district president Khursheed Ali Khan, while the patron of the other is state minister for inter-provincial coordination Malik Azmat Khan.

The Khursheed Ali group’s members applied for party tickets on Thursday, while their rivals will do so today (Friday). From the Khursheed Ali group, former district president of PPP, Lower Dir Aurangzeb and Sahibullah of Rabat submitted applications for the NA-34 ticket, while provincial technical education minister Mahmood Zeb Khan, Javid Iqbal and Jehan Bahadar applied for PK-94 ticket, Rehmatullah for PK-95 ticket, Jehan Anwar and Ziaul Haq for PK-96 ticket and MPA Zakirullah for PK-97 ticket.—Correspondent