SWABI: The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) launched a project of ‘enhancing food security through strategic interventions in agriculture’ here in the district on Saturday.

In this connection, a cheque distribution ceremony was held at the Right Bank Tarbela Dam Recreational Centre where National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was the chief guest. The gathering was attended by the PPAF officials, leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and local women who were given the cheques.

The new programme has been initiated in 12 union councils of the Swabi and Torghar districts.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Qaiser said that PPAF’s efforts to start the initiative targeting the farming community would boost the agriculture sector and strengthen financial position of the growers.

“Farmers are the backbone of the agriculture system and it is essential to educate small farmers and extend financial help to them,” he said.

The NA speaker said that the PPAF project would not only provide profitable alternative farming options to the local communities, but would also enhance their capacities. The project, which is being implemented by PPAF partner organisations, has been designed to address the critical issues of poor crop productivity and low economic returns.

PPAF chief executive officer Qazi Azmat Isa said that they were committed to achieving the sustainable development goals on poverty eradication by introducing innovative practices which could benefit people belonging to different sectors.

SUICIDE: A man committed suicide here on Saturday.

The police said Manzoor Khan shot himself in head with a pistol inside their house in Kotha village.

He succumbed to his injuries on the way to Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2020