MANSEHRA: A multiparty conference has demanded of the federal government to table a resolution for the creation of Hazara province in the Senate and the National Assembly along with the one for southern Punjab province.

“Though our party’s lawmakers have submitted the Hazara province resolution to the National Assembly’s secretariat, even then we want the ruling PTI to club it with its proposed resolution for southern Punjab province,” PML-N leader and former district nazim Sardar Said Ghulam told the moot here on Saturday.

The leaders of PML-N, Pakistan Peoples party, Jamiat ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, PML- Q, Jamat-i-Islamai, lawyers and traders attended the conference.

Former JUI-F Senator Hidayatullah Shah said the government should legislate for creating more federating units in the country.

“If the PTI favours the creation of Hazara province in both upper and lower houses of parliament, my party will support it,” he said.

Mr Shah said the Senate would take up JUI-F Senator Talah Mehmood’s Hazara province resolution in the coming session.

Divisional president of PML-Q Tariq Khan Swati said his party favoured Hazara province and would support the creation of more federating units in the country.

Zafar Mehmood of the PML-N said his party was making efforts legally for the creation of Hazara province.

PPP leader Mohammad Fareed said over10 million people of Hazara demanded a separate province for themselves and rendered sacrifices for it.

INQUIRY: The anti-corruption establishment has launched an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the de-silting of irrigation channels in Siren valley of Mansehra district.

Ozair Awan of the ACE circle office told reporters on Saturday that the department had received complaints about embezzlement of funds earmarked for the canal de-silting by contractors with the help of the irrigation department officials.

He promised action in light of the inquiry report.

PLAZA: The district bar association has built a plaza and said offices will be provided to its members.

Senior lawyer Mustafa Khan Swati inaugurated the Akbar Khan Lawyers Plaza.

President of the district bar association Amir Khan Swati said office allotments would be made soon.

Meanwhile, a cash and carry store was burgled on Badra Road here on Friday night.

The police registered an FIR and began investigation.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2020