Tight security in Kohat KOHAT Nov 1: The local administration has finalised foolproof security arrangements for Kohat and Hangu districts for Muharram.

Kohat district police officer Saleem Marwat said on Friday that the administration had decided to deploy personnel of army, Frontier Constabulary and Elite Force on the mountains overlooking both the districts to avoid any untoward incident. `The roads leading to tribal areas have been sealed and people will be allowed to enter the region only after strict checking,` he said.

Mr Marwat said the bomb disposal squad would sweep the roads and drainage lines with modern gadgets to find any explosives. `Security of all sensitive installations, including mosques and imambargahs has already been beefed up,` he said. -Correspondent Dengue affects more people MINGORA, Nov 1: Fifteen more residents on Friday tested positive for dengue fever at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, taking the number of affected people to 8,946 in Swat so far.

Dr Wasil Khan, focal person for dengue emergency unit, said that 26 patients were discharged after treatment during last 24 hours.

He said that of the total 5,090 patients admitted to the Saidu hospital 4,880 had been discharged after treatment.

Dr Khan said that 43 patients, including 33 men, nine women and one child, were under treatment at the hospital, while 13 patients, including eight men and five women, who were in critical condition, had been admitted to high dependency unit of the hospital. -Correspondent Demo against drones PESHAWAR, Nov 1: Activists of Jamaat-ud-Dawa on Friday held a protest demonstration here against the drone attacks in Fata, and urged the government to order for shooting the predators.

The protesters held banners and placards inscribed with demands for an immediate end to the drone attacks as these violated basic human rights.

The protesters claimed that the drones were targeting innocent people, including children and women, and were direct assault on country`s sovereignty.

`These attacks are totally against the United Nations charter,` said a protester, adding that despite killing of innocent people the Islamic countries had turned a blind eye to the issue. The protesters urged the government to take up the drone issue at the international level.

`If the government fails to take action then the people themselves will have to take steps to stop such strikes, warned another protester. -Bureau Report Outlaw arrested MINGORA, Nov 1: Swat police on Friday arrested a proclaimed offender from Dadahara area of Kabal teshil here.

Mohammad Iqbal, station house officer of Kabal, identified the outlaw as Sabir Khan, who he said was wanted in a case of attack on office of the agriculture department in 2007. -Correspondent Passage of LG Act welcomed PESHAWAR, Nov 1: Local Council Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has welcomed the approval of the Local Government Act, 2013 and described it a step towards development and prosperity of the province.

In a statement issued here on Friday, the LCA provincial secretary Israrullah Khan said with the approval of the law the government`s plan of devolution of power would be materialised in the real sense and would herald a new era of development.

He said the former nazims and councillors were to be appreciated for the efforts they made for restoration of the local government system in the province.

Mr Israrullah said that the local governments strengthened democratic institutions.

The LCA leader appreciated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Minister for Local Government Inayatullah Khan and other members of the assembly for the approval of the law. -Bureau Report Cheques distributed KHAR, Nov 1: The local administration on Friday started disbursing the increased compensation amount under the `Shuhada Package` among the relatives of the deceased Levies personnel.

A ceremony in this connection was held in the agency headquarters here attended by tribal elders, members of various peace committees, family members of fallen personnel and senior officials, including Bajaur`s assistant political agent Asad Sarwar.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Sarwar said the federal government was committed to providing all facilities to the Levies force in the tribal areas, who had always rendered huge sacrifices for restoration of peace in the area.

He said the increase in compensation amount by the federal government would improve the efficiency of the force.

On this occasion, Mr Sarwar awarded cheques of Rs3 million each to heirs of 35 Levies personnel.

The federal government recently increased compensation amount from Rs500,000 to Rs3 million. -Correspondent Tube-wells on solar energy PESHAWAR, Nov 1: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah has directed to shift all the functional tube-wells in Fata on solar energy. He said the step would not only help save energy resources but also ensure sustainable supply of potable water to the respective people.

This he said while reviewing working of public health engineering and work and services departments in Fata at a meeting held at Governor`s House here on Friday.

Beside others, the meeting was also attended by additional chief secretary, Fata, Arbab Mohammad Arif.

The governor also directed speeding up work on the ongoing development projects to benefit people, according to a handout issued here.

The governor said sewerage schemes in Fata should be environment friendly and that their repair and maintenance should be carried out on priority basis. The governor said priority in rehabilitation process should be given to the terrorism hit areas. -Bureau Report School rebuilt TIMERGARA, Nov 1: A primary school for girls in Maidan area, which was blown up by militants four years ago, was on Friday reopened. Army`s operational commander Colonel Umar Hayat Laleka inaugurated the school at Jabagai area during a function attended by parents, teachers and local elders.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Laleka said that the army had rebuilt 10 schools in Maidan tehsil.

He said that terrorism and militancy could be defeated only through education particularly girls` education. `An educated woman can bring positive change in family and society,` he added.

Mr Laleka urged local residents to keep watch on staff of the educational and health institutions to ensure their presence during duty hours.-Correspondent