KOHAT: The Hangu district council has adopted a unanimous resolution, urging the government to declare the district as calamity-hit, saying that recent heavy rains have damaged standingcrops overavastarea.

The session was held in the absence of the convener and PTI members with Noor Zaman Bangashin the chair.

It was also attended by assistant commissioner Zameen Khan, executive engineer communication and works Mohammad Riaz Bangash and heads of other linedepartments.

Addressing the members, Abdul Aziz Khattak, Tajammal Hussain, Maulana Wajidullah, Nasrullah Khan and others demanded approval of the proposed schemes. Mr Bangash briefed the council about progress on the ongoing development projects.

Through a resolution the members demanded that Hangu should be declared as calamity-hit district.

They said that recent heavy rains and hailstorm had destroyed the orchards and standing crops over a vast area. They urged the government to compensate the farmers.

DistrictnazimMuftiObaidullah said that the provincial government was not doing anything for the Hangu district. He said that the bureaucracy also did not pay heed to their demands.Through another resolution, the council criticised the attitude of the education department officers in the district regarding transfers and appointments.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kohat division Musarrat Hussain visited the Takht-i-Nasrati tehsil hospital and ordered opening of the operation theatre and closed wards.

A handout issued here said that the commissioner during his visit found the medical, surgical and gynae wards and operation theatre locked.

He asked the medical superintendent, Dr Gul Sammat Khan, about the healthcare facilities at the hospital, but he could not give a satisfactory reply.

He directed the health officials to conduct an inquiry and dismiss all the employees from service who were absent from duty.