KOHAT: The administration here has decided to deploy army troops in Hangu and put them on standby in Kohat from 7th to 10th of Muharram to ensure peace and security in the two cities.

It was officially announced here on Wednesday that Kohat division administration had decided to keep the Kohat-Hangu road up to Kurram Agency closed from 6th to 10th of Muharram for the safety of the transport and Muharram processions on the roads and other routes of the two cities.

Meanwhile, a jirga of Shia and Sunni elders of Hangu and Kohat agreed to observe peace and harmony during Muharram. The jirga was held at the Commissioner’s House in Kohat and attended by MPAs from Hangu and Kohat, district Khateeb, Sunni Supreme Council chairman Javed Ibraheem, DPOs and deputy commissioners of Hangu and Kohat and other relevant people.

The commissioner said that the government was determined to maintain peace during Muharram. The Kohat administration has declared five imambargahs and eleven mosques as the ‘most sensitive’.

District police officer, Kohat, Sohaib Ashraf said in a statement that six control rooms and one command post had been established while army would remain on standby.

A meeting of the liaison committee was also held at Ustarzai police station, Kohat, where it was announced that army would be deployed for the security of 43 imambargahs on Hangu road in Kohat.

DISTRICT COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS: The district council on Wednesday asked the administration to establish Pesco construction division in Kohat and cancel recent appointment of class-IV employees in the livestock department.

A statement issued here said that a session of the district council was chaired by convener Abdur Rasheed.

Distrcit nazim Maulana Niaz Mohammad presented different resolutions in the house. Others who spoke included opposition leader Naseem Afridi and councillors Mir Shah Raza, Dr Matiullah, Waheed Hayat, Mst Fareeda advocate and others.

The nazim presented resolutions about expediting work on Pesco energy programme, repair of transformers, resolving overbilling problem, establishment of protector office and action against DEO (male). He expressed concern over the unhygienic condition and lack of treatment facilities in the Women and Children Hospital.

The house criticised Pesco for the loadshedding which had not been stopped during Muharram. Astonishingly, the electricity is being snapped after every 15 minutes more than 10 times a day, but the problem had not been removed in one month.

The Nazim demanded of the administration to ensure implementation of the resolutions passed by the district council and the provincial government to take steps for resolution of the people’s problems. He said that that he would lead a delegation to meet with the chief minister and urge him to take action against the DEO.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2016