KOHAT, March 8: Authorities opened the city before Friday prayers after it was sealed following reports on Thursday night that a suicide bomber could target religious places.

The whole Kohat city was sealed at different places after intelligence reports of entry of a suicide bomber in a vehicle late on Thursday night. It caused fear among people because the police sealed the main bazaar first by closing its Shah Faisal Gate and Tehsil Gate. Besides, the routes to all streets and three imambargahs were also blocked by setting up barricades and nobody was allowed to enter the city.

However, the city was reopened for routine work before Friday prayers.

BOMB DEFUSED: the bomb disposal squad defused an explosive device planted under a bridge in Sarokhel area of Hangu on Friday.

Officials said that a five-kilogramme bomb was fixed to the bridge being used by security forces for movement between Hangu and Orakzai Agency. The Doaba police have registered a case against unknown accused.

NOMINATED: A Jamaat-i-Islami candidate, who had contested 2008 elections in independent capacity, has refused to accept the party ticket for coming elections.

The JI parliamentary board has nominated Pir Faheem for NA-14, Zafar Iqbal for KP- 37, Iqbal Din Fana KP-39 and Abid Khan KP-38. However, Iqbal Din Fana told media persons here that he had not filed papers for ticket and his nomination was against his approval. He had resigned from JI to take part in the 2008 elections when the party boycotted the polls.

ORPHANAGE: Senator Abbas Afridi inaugurated an orphanage centre here on Friday.

He said on this occasion that the centre, to be run by Baitul Mal, had been established initially for 100 children below age five.

The senator said that all children would be provided education up to degree level and their expenditures on clothes, food and other necessities would be borne by the government. — Correspondent