DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Women wearing veils took to the streets on Monday against alleged irregularities in distribution of rations meant for the poor by a non-government organisation in Tank district.

The protesters gathered outside the deputy commissioner`s office and blocked the Tank-South Waziristan Road for several hours.

The women said that though they had been issued tokens to collect their rations, they were denied the aid. They alleged that the rations were unfairly distributed to other individuals chosen by the organisers, leaving them desperate and angry.

Speaking to media representatives, the protesting women accused the NGO and its local partners of favouritism, claiming that the rations were distributed among workers of a political party and their relatives, bypassing deserving individuals. The ration distribution programme supported by the Saudi government and executed by NGO Peace and Development Organisation has faced widespread criticism for mismanagement.

The protesting women said they had travelled long distances, leaving behind their families and spending money on transportation, only to be treated disrespectfully. They reported being pushed out of the distribution point and humiliated.

The women called upon the provincial authorities to take notice of the alleged mismanagement and inhuman treatment of deserving recipients. They vowed to continue their protest till justice was served.

RELIEF FOR KURRAM FAMILIES: Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for merged districts Imran Wazir on Monday said following directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the society was making all-out efforts to provide essential medicines and nonfood items to the residents of the restive Kurram district.

Talking to mediapersons, he said that next consignment of relief goods would be dispatched as soon as the routes were cleared.

Mr Wazir further said that the PRCS teams were the first to provide aid to the affected families in Kurram.

He praised dedication of Red Crescent volunteers for carrying out humanitarian duties even in difficult circumstances. Correspondent