TIMERGARA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance Muzafar Syed on Friday welcomed the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif`s announcement to let the central Asian countries benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor during the 15th moot of the Central Asian Republics Economic Cooperation (CAREC) held in Islamabad.

Talking to Dawn at Talash during his mass contact visit to his native constituency, the minister added: `Malakand division has to be included in the CPEC for this purpose as CAREC states can only be linked with Pakistan through Chitral via Wakhan strip ofAfghanistan.

He claimed that the CPEC`s western route was the shortest way to reach Gwadar passing through the southern districts of KP. But, he said all the projects and facilities related to CPEC were being spread in Punjab.

Mr Syed demanded of the federal government to include the Swat Expressway and Kohat Industrial Estate in the CPEC.

He asked the centre to pay KP its gas and electricity arrears and give it control over its own natural resources.

SCHOOLS` SPORTS: The government high school, Mian Banda, defeated government high school, Mian Barangola, in the hockey semi final during the ongoing inter-school sports competition in Lower Dir. The semi final match was played at theTimergara Rest House ground that ended in a draw in the stipulated time.

The match was decided on penalty strokes.

A large number of students and locals watched the match.

PTI PROTEST: Like other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI, Lower Dir chapter, also staged protest rallies in front of the press clubs at Talash and Munda against the federal government and Islamabad police for manhandling party workers.

Dozens of PTI workers gathered at Talash and Munda after Friday prayers, and blocked roads for some time.

PTI activists said hundreds of workers would reach Islamabad on Nov 2 to participate in the planned lockdown of the capital.