Steps to bring seminaries into mainstream to continue, says Khattak

NOWSHERA: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Sunday said his government would continue the steps to bring seminaries into the mainstream.

Speaking at events in connection with Independence Day celebrations in various seminaries here, he said the students at Darul Uloom Islamia would be provided with the opportunities to learn English, computer science and other science subjects besides religious education.

Pervez Khattak said his government would assist every seminary, which would agree to provide modern education to its students. He said children of poor people were getting free education at seminaries and earlier governments should have taken steps for providing modern education opportunities to these children.

The chief minister said the PTI-led government would fulfill all the pledges made with the people. “We will continue our struggle against corruption come what may,” he said, adding, corruption-free society was a must for development of the country. Administrator of the madrassa, Syed Nisarullah Badshah, said that students were taught modern subjects at the madrassa. He lauded the government steps of establishing computer labs and science blocks at seminaries.

He said that such steps were real service of the masses. He said that some secular parties were criticising the government for providing support to seminaries. He pointed out that that madaris were not getting financial support from anyone.

Syed Nisarullah Badshah said these seminaries were working on self-help basis but added that establishment of computer labs and academic blocks require huge funds. He said the government support for developing such infrastructure was needed to bring the seminaries into national mainstream.The administrator said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government deserved credit for serving the seminaries.

Earlier, Awami National Party local leader Anhanuddin Khattak, Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz activists Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Atif Iqbal, Tauqir Khan along with their family members and supporters announced joining PTI.

Speaking at other functions, Pervez Khattak said the PTI-led coalition government was trying to bring about a positive change in the system and make the institutions strong to provide standard facilities to people.

He said people had voted his party to power for changing the system. The chief minister said that reformation of the system was more important than development activities.

The chief minister added the government had put an end to interference in the affairs of the institutions to make them service-oriented.  He said the government had taken steps for elimination of injustice, corruption and restoration of supremacy of law.

MARDAN: The poor and handicapped parents of 21-year old Shahzad, who died after winning the race for recruitment in the police force here, have appealed to Inspector General of Police to investigate the cause of his death and punish the officials who failed to make proper arrangements on the occasion.

Shahzad belonged to Gumbat village sited near Mardan city. He was called for taking part in the physical test to be shortlisted for recruitment in the police.

BARA: The security forces defused an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency on Sunday, official sources said. The sources said unidentified persons had planted IED in a cricket stadium in Bar Qambarkhel.