Hospital short of doctors PARACHINAR, Nov 3: Shortage of doctors at Sadda tehsil headquarters hospital has been hampering patients` treatment, as the hospital is yet to get the desired staff despite being given the category `C` status.

Talking to Dawn here, the THQ hospital`s medical superintendent Dr Mohammad Umar said the hospital had been upgraded to category C for which necessary infrastructure was developed and equipment procured but due to shortage of medical officers and specialist doctors the patients weren`t being provided the desired treatment facilities.

He said the hospital should be provided the needed staff because transporting patients from Kurram Agency to hospitals in Hangu, Kohat or Peshawar often put their lives in danger.

He said nine posts of medical officers, including two posts of women medical officers and two posts of specialist doctors, (gynecologist and surgical) had been lying vacant in the hospital. `Besides 23 posts of charge nurses and medical technicians had been lying vacant,` he added.Correspondent Teachers reject cluster system KARAK, Nov 3: The provincial president of All Primary Teachers Association Malik Khalid Khan on Sunday rejected the proposed cluster system for promotion of primary schoolteachers.

He also demanded basic pay scale of 17 for the assistant district education officers so they could be promoted to the post of deputy district officers.

He was addressing a teachers` convention at Town Hall here on Sunday chaired by association`s district president Javed Iqbal.

The Apta provincial chief said that cluster system procedure for upgradation of primary schoolteachers was not clear. He said the teachers move court if the government tried to implement the system.

He also said that more ADOs of grade 16 should be recruited from the PST cadre.

Mr Khan said policies devised against the interests of teachers and students would be opposed.-Correspondent QWP appoints new spokesman PESHAWAR, Nov 3: Qaumi Watan Party has appointed Hashim Babar as its central information secretary and spokesperson.

A statement issued from Watan Kor, the central secretariat of the party, here on Sunday, said that Hashim Babar had been asked to assume charge of his responsibilities.

It said that Mr Babar was a seasoned politician and had always highlighted the problems being faced by the Pakhtuns. `Being a Pakhtun nationalist he served his community with devotion,` said the statement.

`Mr Babar will also utilise his abilities to further strengthen the party at the grass roots level,` the statement further said.-Bureau Report ANP rejects allegations PESHAWAR, Nov 3: Rejecting the allegations levelled by Senator Azam Hoti against ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan, National Youth Organisation leaders on Sunday described them a conspiracy against the party.

Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club here, NYO provincial president Sangeen Khan said similar allegations had been levelled against the party leaders in the past, but people knew the facts overtime.

He said Asfandyar was real heir of the political philosophy of Bacha Khan and Abdul Wali Khan and the workers were ready to follow him.

`Levelling allegations against anyone is an easy task but one has to prove them,` he said.

Flanked by other leaders, Mr Sangeen said that ANP had rendered matchless sacrifices for the nation and was still doing so, but certain elements were bent upon defaming it for vested interests.

He said those trying to defame ANP leadership would get nothing in return.-Bureau Report `US against peace in Pakistan` NOWSHERA, Nov 3: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq has condemned the US drone attacks and said the killing of banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakeemullah Mahsud in such a strike showed that the US didn`t want peace in Pakistan.

`The latest drone attack clearly exposed the American conspiracy against peace in Pakistan. From the very beginning, America has not been in favour of peace talks and never wants peace in this region,` said Mr Haq while talking to mediapersons at Akora Khattak here on Sunday.

He said the drone attack also shattered efforts of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to restore lasting peace in the region.

`It is not an attack against the Taliban rather it is an attack on the parliament of Pakistan,` he added.Correspondent MNA accused of apathy KHAR, Nov 3: The elders of Mamond tribe have asked the local MNA to focus on solution of problems being faced by the tribal people.

Talking to MNA Haji Bismillah Khan here on Sunday, the tribal elders said majority of tribesmen of Mamond tehsil lacked basic facilities The elders criticised the MNA and his son Engineer Shaukatullah Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, for doing nothing for their welfare.

The elders asked the MNA and his two sons, including Senator Hidayatullah Khan, to fulfill his election promises made with the people.

On the occasion, MNA Bismillah Khan said provision of basic facilities and rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure were his priorities.-Correspondent