Briefs

Briefs

Khyber Road blocked due to suspicious bag

By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: The main Khyber Road was blocked briefly due to fear of a bomb blast on Friday. The bomb disposal unit experts were called and traffic blocked when a suspicious bag was found on the road. However, a rickshaw driver later arrived at the scene and said the bag had slipped from his three-wheeler.

Malik greets Fata people on getting rid of FCR

ISLAMABAD: PPP senator Rehman Malik has felicitated the people of Fata on the approval of recommendation to mainstream Fata. “I congratulate brave people of Fata on getting rid of FCR – the black law which was made by the British empire to rule them,” Malik said. He said the political act made by the PPP could not be implemented then because of the uncertain security situation, war on terror, operation Rah-e-Haq and internal displacement of the people in Fata, adding that all stakeholders had agreed on the delay. He said the PPP will always stand by the people of Fata and will leave no stone unturned in bringing them in the mainstream of the country through necessary constitutional legislation and development of the area.

Banned organisation members held

By our correspondent

BUNNU: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday arrested two members of a proscribed organisation in the district, official sources said. They said the CTD personnel arrested the two accused when they were allegedly collecting donations at a mosque in Lakki Marwat. The arrested accused were identified as Rahim Jan and Muhammad Ismail. The accused were shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.

 Afghanistan frees 49 Pakistanis

By our correspondent

LANDIKOTAL: The Afghan authorities released 49 Pakistanis from various jails and handed them over to officials at Torkham border, sources said on Friday. The sources said that the Afghan government released the Pakistani nationals as a goodwill gesture. Meanwhile, the security forces arrested two persons allegedly involved in a bomb blast carried out at a filling station in Jamrud a few months ago. Those arrested were identified as Kashif and Nek Muhammad, residents of Jamrud. They were shifted to an unknown location for investigation.

People storm Dilazak grid station 

By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: A group of people, including some armed men, stormed the 132 kv Dilazak grid station and closed down the feeders providing electricity to the adjacent areas. The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) said in a press release that the miscreants didn't pay electricity bills and wanted to be provided uninterrupted power supply. It said that Pesco informed the police station concerned, but they didn't respond to take action and register cases against the accused. The press release said that the provincial government and the law-enforcement agencies had been also informed about the incident. It said that the company carried out power cuts in proportion to the payment of electricity bills.

81 youth complete technical training 

By our correspondent

MINGORA: Around 81 youth were on Friday imparted various skills during a training course at a training centre in Swat district. They were provided training at the Mashal Care Centre in Saidu Sharif here. General Officer Commanding (GOC) Malakand Major General Ali Amir Awan was the chief guest on the occasion. District Nazim Swat Muhammad Ali Shah, District Police Officer Ijaz Ahmad Khan, civil and armed forces officials and local people were present on the occasion. The youth completed training sang national songs and presented tableaus. The youth were thought carpentering, tailoring, welding, electrician and weaving skills to support their families financially and earn a decent life. Later, the chief guest distributed awards among the youth for performance during the training.

Skiing festival kicks off in Swat 

By our correspondent

MINGORA: A three-day national skiing festival kicked off at the skiing resort of Malam Jabba in Swat on Friday. Special Assistant to Chief Minister Abdul Munim Khan formally inaugurated the skiing festival. Singer sang songs and Khattak dance was presented while paragliding activity was also held on the occasion. Various players from across the province are participating in the festival.

Doaba Canal inaugurated in Charsadda 

By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao inaugurated Doaba Canal in Charsadda district on Friday. The canal will irrigate 33,977 acres of land and benefit residents of 48 surrounding villages. Speaking on the occasion, Aftab Sherpao said the ADP scheme for the reconstruction and extension of the canal has been increased from Rs200 million to Rs500 million in order to meet the demands of people involved in the agricultural sector of the district. He praised the efforts of QWP for addressing the longstanding demands of people of the area, and said that the QWP would always support farmers because agricultural sector is the financial backbone of the nation. "Most of our people are employed in the agricultural sector and this canal will provide tremendous livelihood opportunities to them. Additionally, the extension of the canal will create job opportunities for the locals as well as people of the province," he added.

Funeral prayers for martyred soldiers offered

By our correspondent

BANNU: The funeral prayers for the two soldiers, who were martyred in a clash with militants in Janikhel area a day earlier, were offered here Friday. Lieutenant Khawar and Naik Shehzada were killed in clash with militants during a raid. Four militants were also killed in the clash. Officials of the civil administration and armed forces including Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Nazir Ahmad Butt, Commander Air Defence Command Lieutenant General Zahid Latif and others attended the funeral prayers for the martyred soldiers at the Garrison Park. The bodies were dispatched to native areas and laid to rest with state honours. Lieutenant Khawar and Naik Shehzada embraced martyrdom during a clash with militants in Janikhel area in the Frontier Region Bannu late on Thursday night.