LAKKI MARWAT: Students here have asked the government to promote digital literacy by setting up information technology colleges and universities in the Lakki Marwat district.

Speaking at a dialogue held at a school in Lakki city on Saturday, they also called for establishing career counseling centres for educated youth and improving internet facilities in rural localities of the district.

Southern Sustainable Development Network (SSDN), a non-government organisation, in collaboration with Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), organised the debate.

Students said the government should focus on promoting e-commerce and digital marketing education so that they could play an effective role in the country’s economic stability.

They called for practical steps at the district level to deal with the impact of climate change. They said the government should include hazards of using drugs and youths’ role in narcotics control in the curriculum at school, college and university levels.

They also stressed the need for encouraging youth, especially students, to take active part in tree plantation and environment-friendly activities.

They demanded provision of financial support and stipends to youth.

The speakers asked the lawmakers from the district to ensure provision of clean drinking water, smooth electric supply, health and education facilities in the rural areas. They also demanded setting up sports stadiums and playgrounds to enable youth to take part in games and other healthy activities.

ARREST: The police arrested the ringleader of a bandits’ gang in injured condition after a clash with outlaws on the Titterkhel Bypass Road here on Friday night.

An official said the Ghaznikhel police took the action on information about the presence of suspects on the Peshawar-Karachi highway with intention of looting passengers and goods vehicles.

“When policemen reached the bypass road the outlaws opened fire on them with automatic weapons,” he maintained.

He said the cops took positions and returned the fire.

The official said after exchange of fire, police overpowered an outlaw, identified Hazrat Ali, in injured condition, but his other accomplices fled the place. The injured bandit was shifted to a hospital.

The official said additional police force was dispatched to the area to launch a search for the fleeing men.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2024