DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The top 20 position holders of the 2023 secondary school certificate examinations conducted by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dera, were given away scholarship cheques worth Rs10 million on Tuesday.

Dera commissioner Zafar Islam Khattak distributed the cheques during a ceremony held at the Mufti Mehmood School and College here.

The cheques were distributed under the Stori Da Pakhtunkhwa programme.

Mr Khattak said the provincial government was taking significant steps to promote education among the youth for ensuring the country’s bright future.

Appreciating the scholarship programme, he said it provided financial assistance to talented students to help them continue their education.

He also lauded parents and teachers’ role in promotion of education, saying they played a vital role in shaping the character of students.

Among others the event was also attended by Dera board chairman Prof Ihsanullah, controller Dr Qaiser Anwar, district education officer Dr Musarrat Hussain Baloch and others.

The commissioner said the students receiving the scholarships were undoubtedly intelligent, and the purpose of education was not only to get a job but to serve humanity.

He expressed his determination to take strict action against cheating, saying the divisional administration would employ all available resources to prevent malpractice during exams.

He said the BISE Dera’s efforts would significantly improve the educational standards.

District education officer Musarrat Baloch appealed to the parents to enroll their children in government schools to take advantage of ‘vast’ resources available there.

“The scholarship programme is one of the key advancements made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the field of education, recognising students’ hard work and dedication, and further strengthening their educational development,” he added.

ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: The Tank district administration has launched an anti-encroachment operation in the bazaars to facilitate citizens in view of the upcoming Eidul Fitr preparations.

Officials of the district administration and tehsil municipal administration have removed encroachments at several places to ensure smooth flow of traffic and movement of pedestrians.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025