MANSEHRA: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Paramedical Association has announced its members would stage a sit-in in Peshawar on Nov 25 to pressure the government to accept its demands regarding post upgradation, and adequate salary and pension raise.

“We have been striving to claim rights for several months, but to no avail,” district president of the association Khalid Khan told reporters here on Thursday.

He said paramedics from across the province and Hazara division would participate in the Peshawar sit-in.

“The government should immediately accept our demands otherwise we will initiate street protests for an indefinite period,” he warned.

Mr Khan said the association was in contact with district bodies throughout the province to ensure the success of the sit-in.

Complain they’re denied rights despite efforts

He said paramedical staff from Mansehra and the rest of the Hazara division would participate in large numbers.

TREE FELLING: Residents of Jarad area in Kaghan valley here on Thursday claimed that timber smugglers in the area were involved in the illegal tree fellingand transportation in connivance with the local forest officials.

“Despite our numerous complaints to authorities, illegal activities of timber smugglers are continuing,” resident Mohammad Siddiquetold reporters here.

Accompanied by a group of locals, he said the illegal felling of high-quality deodar trees was under way in the Jarad Guzara Forest Compartment No 1, but the forest department was indifferent to the activity.

Another local, Mohammad Naseer, said a large number of trees had been chopped down in the deodar area during the widening of the Manor Valley Road, and the timber was shifted to the Jarad forest division.

He, however, said the timber was stolen.

“We provided undeniable evidence to the divisional forest officer in Kaghan but despite the inquiry, no one has been held accountable,” he said.

Another resident, Mohammad Farooq, said the government had banned the tree felling and transportation across the province, but the activity continued unabated in Kaghan forest division.

“The timber smugglers, in collusion with forest officials, have been shattering the environment in Kaghan. The chief conservator should launch an inquiry and ensure that all those involved in the deforestation are brought to justice,” he said.

ROAD BLOCKED: The residents of Dor Mera tehsil in Torghar blocked a main road to traffic on Thursday to protest the killing of a woman.

“A woman, who reportedly eloped with a resident, was killed on the road. The police failed to protect her and arrived to collect her body three hours later,” a protester told reporters.

The protesters blocked the Judbah-Thakot Road for around two hours demanding action against personnel posted to the Dor Mera police station and local posts.

The protesters later dispersed after district police officer Syed Mukhtar Shah met them and promised action against the personnel of the local police post.

The DPO later suspended all staff members of the Dor Mera police station.

The body was taken to a nearby health facility for medico-legal formalities.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024