LOWER DIR: The residents of Adenzai have demanded of the government to ensure provision of anti-rabies vaccine at all hospitals in Lower Dir.

Talking to local journalists in Chakdara, they said that about 12 schoolchildren were bitten by stray dogs in Gaddar village, spreading panic among students and parents in the area.

The students including Sudais, Warisha, Kashif, Rehan, Adnan, Najla, Aftab and others were taken to Chakdara tehsil headquarters hospital for vaccination and first aid but due to non-availability of anti-rabies vaccine they were shifted to Batkhela and Timergara hospitals.

Some of the parents vaccinated their children privately at medical stores. The parents of the students including Abdul Rehman, Bakht Zamin and Khaista Mohammad demanded of the authorities to take notice of the matter and launch an operation against stray dogs in Adenzai tehsil.

They also demanded provision of anti-rabies vaccine to local hospitals. The district health officer, Dr Irshad Roghani, when contacted, said that notice of the vaccine shortage was taken and it would be provided soon to the hospitals.

TEHSIL CHAIRMEN: After taking oath of their offices, the newly-elected tehsil chairmen in Lower Dir started public activities. Addressing a function in Amlook Dara, Timergara tehsil chairman Mufti Irfanud Din asked people to educate their children and prepare them for the challenges faced by the nation.

The function was arranged by Elementary Education Foundation (EEF) wherein its girls’ community school was upgraded to middle level. EEF district programme officer Jamshid Khan, village council chairman Maulana Noor Badshah and Haji Khalil also addressed the function.

Mufti Irfan termed female education necessary for development. He said that his office would fully cooperate with EEF for increasing literacy rate in the area.

Similarly, Munda tehsil chairman Haji Inayatullah addressed the inaugural function of his office and said that he would never compromise on providing relief to people of the area.

The function was also attended by tehsil municipal officer Amjad Raza, tehsildar Saeed Anwar, representatives of village councils and local elders.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2022