Murderer sentenced to death MANSEHRA, Nov 6: A court in Oghi on Wednesday handed down death penalty and fine of Rs0.8 million to a man for killing two persons in Batgrain area of Darband three years ago.

Mohammad Sharif had been charged with murdering Mohammad Sajjad and Ali Gohar over an on enmity.

The additional district and sessions judge Munawar Khan announced the sentence after hearing counsels of both the sides.

According to local people the enmity over a piece of land has so far claimed lives of over two dozen people from both sides. -Correspondent 570kg hashish seized PESHAWAR, Nov 6: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Wednesday seized 570 kilogram of hashish and impounded a Suzuki van at Bara Road here.

An ANF statement issued here said that following information about an abandoned Suzuki van bearing registration WC-945-Islamabad near Shaheen CNG, a raiding party reached the spot and upon search recovered 570 kg hashish from the vehicle.

A case against the unidentified smugglers was registered at the ANF police station and efforts got underway for their arrest.

A police official said hashish had been brought from tribal area, but it could not be ascertained as to why the smugglers had abandoned the vehicle.

Similarly, ANP also foiled an attempt to smuggle heroin from Peshawar to Jadda on Wednesday and arrested a man from the Bacha Kahn Airport. A case against the accused was registered. However, his name could not be ascertained.

-Bureau Report JI for blocking Nato supplies TIMERGARA, Nov 6: The Jamaat-i-Islami, Lower Dir chapter, on Wednesday demanded of the government to block Nato supplies to Afghanistan or party workers would do that by force.

Talking to journalists here, Haji Fazal Wahab, Malik Sher Bahadar and Shafiullah said the federal government should protect national honour and dignity. `Masses will stand behind the rulers if they decide to shut Nato supplies,` they added.

The JI leaders urged the government to start talks with Taliban as it was in the `national interest`. They said Pakistan should quit the US alliance against terrorism. `The US is not Pakistan`s friend as it has always hurt its interests,` they said and added people of Pakistan could defend the country along with its army.

Meanwhile, the JI district chapter on Wednesday elected through secret ballot its tehsils` heads. Party`s district chief Maulana Asadullah administered oath to the new officebearers at Ahyaul Uloom, Balambat. -Correspondent `Peace vital for development` KHAR, Nov 6: The political administration is making efforts to provide basic amenities to the dwellers of militancyravaged Bajaur.

Speaking at a representative jirga of Khar tribe at civil colony here on Wednesday, Bajaur assistant political agent Asad Sarwar said establishment of the writ of the government was vital for durable peace in the tribal region.

A large number of elders, members of peace committees, leaders of various political parties and senior administration officials attended the jirga.

The jirga discussed law and order, village defence committees` role and ongoing development works.

Mr Sarwar said peace was prerequisite for development and prosperity of the region so the tribal people should play role in maintaining peace in the agency.

He said huge funds had been allocated for development projects to improve people`s life standard.

The elders asked the official to appoint local youth in the NGO working in the region. -Correspondent PPP women leaders join PTI CHITRAL, Nov 6: President and general secretary of the women wing of Pakistan People`s Party local chapter along with large number of workers on Wednesday joined Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf.

A PTI worker told Dawn PPP women wing president Falak Naz and general secretary Bibi Amina announced their decision in the presence of party chief Imran Khan in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Requesting not to be named, he claimed the PPP would receive a major setback shortly as former tehsil nazim Sartaj Ahmed along with 14 former nazims would also join the PTI.

He said Sartaj met Imran Khan who accepted some of his preconditions to join the party, which included establishment of university and construction of sports stadium in Chitral and completion of Lowari tunnel.

He said Sartaj was one of PPP`s most influential leaders who developed differences with the party in last general elections when he was denied ticket for provincial assembly constituency.-Correspondent Foolproof security in Malakand MINGORA, Nov 6: Deputy Inspector General, Malakand division, Abdullah Khan, on Wednesday instructed all the district police officers to beef up security in their respective districts during Muharram.

He issued the order at a meeting held at his office in Saidu Sharif attended by district police officers of all the districts of Malakand division. The meeting reviewed security measures being taken for Muharram and decided to enhance security at bus terminals, shopping centres, mosques and other public places.

Mr Abdullah instructed officials to keep vigilant eye on movement of suspected persons in their respective districts, asking them to perform their duties diligently so any terrorist attempt could be foiled on time.

The meeting was told that a regional task force had been set up, which was carrying out crackdown against miscreants and dispatching its daily report to central police office, Peshawar, and the provincial home department. Correspondent Women harassment KOHAT, Nov 6: The local administration on Wednesday set up two committees tasked with checking women harassment at government offices and educational institutions and awarding punishments to eve teasers.

The first committee is headed by assistant district education officer (ADEO) Hasrat Zahra and its members are ADEOs Asifa Ameen and Arif Saleem. The committee would create awareness among staff against harassment of female staffers working in government offices.

Similarly, the second committee is headed by Sameena Yasmeen, assistant executive district education officer (female). It would be responsible for curbing punishment of female staff and students in offices, schools and colleges.

A retired army officer was terminated after he locked a woman employee of the National Commission of Human Development in a room for several hours.

But officials said many cases went unreported because women were afraid of losing jobs.

Ms Yasmeen warned the school administrations not to award corporal punishments to students. -Correspondent