Bomb goes off near school SWABI, Nov 11: An explosive device went off near a private school on Monday, but it caused no human or property loss, said the police.

The device was planted in a motorbike which was parked near the school owned by Sikandar Irfan, formed legislator of ANP. The explosion caused panic in the locality.

Teachers said a loud explosion was heard outside the school building when the school was about to close.

Police officials said it was a remote controlled bomb and it was not immediately known whether the target was a police vehicle which had passed the area a few seconds before the explosion or the school. They said the school was also targeted when a bomb planted at its entrance gate exploded a year back. An FIR was registered in the city police station against unknown militants.-Correspondent Chitral UC without power CHITRAL, Nov 11: The residents of Koh union council have expressed concern over inordinate delay in repair of a feeder at Reshun hydropower house which had been damaged by floods in July, this year.

In a joint press statement issued here on Monday, the elders and political figures, including former MPA Maulana Abdur Rahman, JI naib amir Maulana Rahmatullah Akhunzada, social worker Abdur Rahman Laal and others criticised the government for failing to restore the power supply to the union council. They said the Sarhad Hydel Development Organisation had also failed to provide funds for repair of the feeder and transmission line to the power house.

Meanwhile, renowned poet, writer and singer of Khowar Gul Nawaz Khaki died here on Monday after a brief illness.

He was 76.He authored five books on Khowar prose and poetry and struggled to promote the language as president of Anjuman-i-Taraqi, Khowar Chitral.-Correspondent CJP condoles death MANSEHRA, Nov 11: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Monday visited the district to offer condolence on the death of the nephew of the apex court judge Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan.

The chief justice was accompanied by other judges of the Supreme Court.

The administration had put the security on high alert on the occasion, blocking roads leading to the residence of Justice Ijaz Afzal. Fateh Ali Tippu, the nephew of Justice Afzal, was killed by a stray bullet the other day.-Correspondent Polio eradication KHAR, Nov 11: Bajaur Agency Political Agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah on Monday urged the health department officials to step up efforts for eradicating polio from the agency. He waned that serious action would be taken against the officials showing unsatisfactory results during the upcoming anti-polio drive.

He was speaking at a meeting with the health department officials and WHO and Unicef representatives here.

Mr Shah expressed concern over the rising refusal cases in the agency and urged the officials to identify the main causes. He also urged them to enhance coordination with the elders, religious leaders and social activists to make the campaign a success. Mr Shah asked the health department and WHO officials to keep close watch over vaccination teams as local people were not satisfied with the performances of the health teams.-Correspondent Call to ban Jamaat-i-Islami MINGORA, Nov 11: The Naikpi Khel Quami Aman Jirga, Swat on Monday condemned statement of Jamaat-i-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan and demanded of the government to outlaw the JI if its chief didn`t apologise over his statement.

Addressing a news conference here at Swat Press Club on Monday, jirga president Idrees Khan, senior vice president Khalil Khan, general secretary Karimul Hadi and other office-bearers said army personnel had been rendering sacrifices for the defence of the country and its citizens. They added that militants were involved in murdering thousands of innocent people.

The jirga members said the JI chief`s statement was baseless, which had hurt the whole nation in general and relatives of those killed in terrorist attacks in particular.

The peace volunteers said the JI chief`s remarks about Hakeemullah`s killing had hurt the nation as Taliban had been involved in terrorist attacks, including suicide blasts on funeral ceremonies, army and civilians.-Correspondent PPP workers` grievances KARAK, Nov 11: Pakistan People`s Party leader and former candidate for NA-15 in the May 11 general elections, Shah Jehan Khattak, has said the party`s new provincial leadership would redress workers` grievances.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, he hoped the new provincial president, Khanzada Khan, would reorganise the party at the grass roots level. He also paid tribute to PPP former president Anwar Saifullah Khan for organising the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mr Khattak said party workers were ignored during the party`s rule in the country, adding opportunists exploited the workers. He said the new leadership would redress grievances of the genuine workers.

Meanwhile, the local chapter of Mazdoor Kisan Party has demanded of the multinational companies working in the district on oil and gas exploration to provide rights to local people. This was stated by Olas Yar, district president of Orbal Tehrik, while addressing a press conference here on Monday.-Correspondent Ban on renting out cars, bikes PESHAWAR, Nov 11: Peshawar deputy commissioner on Monday imposed section 144 banning renting of cars and motorcycles in the provincial metropolis for five days.

A statement issued here said anyone found violating the order would be proceeded against under section 188 of PPC.

An official said the order had been issued keeping in view the fragile security situation in the provincial capital to avert any untoward incident being carried out using rented vehicles.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP Nasir Khan Durrani directed the concerned officials to ensure installation of search lights on the rooftops of buildings located near the imambargahs, routes of mourners` processions and security checkpoints. He issued the directives during visits to different worship places, checkpoints and bazaars on Monday.

He also inspected security arrangements made for protection of people, particularly the mourners.-Bureau Report Bomb defused in Kurram PARACHINAR, Nov 11: The political authorities and the security forces on Monday defused a bomb weighing at least 18 kilogram in Mangak area in lower Kurram here.

Officials said the local people spotted the bomb and informed the political authorities about it. Soon after receiving the information, the security personnel reached the spot and safely defused the bomb. The officials said the bomb was planted along a dirt track in the Mangak area. They said the explosive device weighed 18 kilogram.

Later, the security personnel conducted a search operation in the area to track down the culprits involved in planting the bomb, but no arrests were reported till filing of this report.-Correspondent