Hospitals short of doctors KARAK, Oct 25: Posts of 64 doctors are lying vacant in different hospitals in the district, creating problems for patients.

This was stated by PPP leader Shah Jehan Khattak and PML Karak tehsil president Mohammad Ishaq while addressing a press conference here on Friday. Workers of other political parties were also in attendance.

They said that vacant posts also included 12 specialist doctors. They said at the moment only two female doctors were available in the hospitals.

They criticised the five-month performance of the PTI-led provincial government and said despite claims the government failed to ensure provision of emergency facilities in the health facilities. They threatened to launch a protest movement if the government failed to pay heed to solve the problem. -Correspondent Two outlaws arrested LAKKI MARWAT, Oct 25: Police on Friday arrested two hardened criminals and seized explosives and weapons from them in Aezerkhel village here.

`After receiving information about the presence of wanted criminals in the village DPO Bashar Khan formed a raiding party of Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police station led by SHO Mohammad Noor,` said an official, adding that police reached the spot and started surrounding the hideout of criminals.

`But the outlaws opened fire on the policemen when they noticed them laying a siege,` he said and added the law enforcers returned the fire and foiled their bid to flee the place by engaging them in crossfire,` said the official.

He said police arrested both the outlaws identified as Irfan and Habibullah and recovered four hand grenades, two AK47 assault rifles and live rounds from them. `The arrested outlaws were in murder and other cases of heinous nature,` said the official. -Correspondent Anti-polio drive in Khyber PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Anti-polio campaign continued for the second consecutive day on Friday in Khyber Agency without any eventuality. About 124,000 children would be given anti-polio drops during the drive.

Khyber Agency Surgeon Samin Shinwari said that the campaign was underway successfully and that area people were cooperating with the immunisation staff. He said a target of 124,000 children was set for immunisation in the agency.

Mr Shinwari said that 391 teams had been constituted in the agency for carrying out the vaccination campaign.

However, he said in some parts of Bara tehsil the campaign was suspended over security concerns.-APP Recovery of ANP leader sought PESHAWAR, Oct 25: Awami National Party leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour on Friday demanded of the Balochistan government to ensure early and safe recovery of ANP leader Abdul Zahir Kasi.

According to a statement issued from Bacha Khan Markaz here, Mr Bilour phoned to the Chief Minister Balochistan, Abdul Malik Baloch and showed his concern over the kidnapping of ANP`s senior leader Abdul Zahir Kasi. He asked Mr Baloch to utilise all available means for securing the early recovery of ANP leader.

It was stated that the chief minister Balochistan had assured Ghulam Ahmed Bilour that every possible effort on part of the Balochistan government would be made for early recovery of kidnapped ANP leader.-APP Tournament starts in Lakki LAKKI MARWAT, Oct 25: A tournament featuring cricket, football, volleyball and other games at the district high and higher secondary schools level started here on Friday.

The district male education department organised a colourful function at a local school in Lakki city to launch the tournament. DEO Nazir Khan, DDEO Khalid Wahab and other officials watched the games.

GCMHS Lakki, GHSS Abakhel, GHS No 3, Lakki, GHSS Kot Kashmir and GHS Khajakhel won their cricket and football matches, respectively Meanwhile, students of Government Centennial Model High School, Lakki, on Friday exhibited outstanding performance in PT show at the ongoing district level competitions. The show was held at the Government Higher Secondary School, Tajazai. -Correspondent