KHYBER: Scores of residents of Bacha Maina area near the Torkham border here on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for suspending water supply to their homes.

The protesters accused the NLC of diverting water supply from the Landi Khana water supply scheme to their offices and other installations. They said that the move caused acute water shortage in their area.

The tribesmen said that Landi Khana water supply scheme was their only source of water and its unlawful and abrupt suspension by the NLC had deprived them of their legitimate right over drinking water.

They appealed to the district administration and the security officials to ask the NLC authorities to restore water supply to their houses as they had to buy the commodity from private tankers, which was an additional financial burden on them.

Meanwhile, officials at an open kutcheri held in the remote Bazaar Zakhakhel area on Wednesday said that Rs3 billion had been allocated for execution of a number of development schemes in the area.

They said that the funds would be spent on provision of clean drinking water, electricity, establishment of Nadra centre and Rescue 1122 offices in Bazaar Zakhakhel.

Health officials present on the occasion said that the newly-constructed hospital in the area would be made functional in one week. They said that the hospital would have round-the-clock emergency services, a surgical unit, gynaecology and children wards and a dental unit.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2022