LOWER DIR: Jamaat-i-Islami former emir Sirajul Haq has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, stating while the ruling elite remains secure, the general public feels increasingly unsafe.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he said the country`s economy continued to worsen, and the government failed to maintain peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh.

`The monster of lawlessness has paralysed society.

Without peace, no investor will bring capital to Pakistan, and without investment, the country cannot progress,` he remarked.

Mr Haq said overseas Pakistanis were the backbone of the country`s economy, contributing around $31 billion annually. `However, due to the prevailing insecurity and uncertainty in the country, they are increasingly worried.

He stressed if the government ensured their protection and encouraged them they could potentially send up to $55 billion in remittances over the next five years.

He also criticised the recently passed bill in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly that `transferred` control of mineral resources to the federal government, calling it a grave injustice to the people of KP.

Mr Haq also emphasised the need for dialogue among political parties to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

He expressed grief over the passing away of former senator Prof Khurshid Ahmad, describing his death as a great loss not only for Jamaat but also for Pakistan.

Earlier, hundreds of JI workers participated in the funeral prayers in absentia for late Khurshid Ahmad, who passed away in London the other day.

EXAM STAFF REMOVED: The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Malakand, on Monday cancelled duties of the entire supervisory staff of examination centre No 253 in Talash amid the ongoing matriculation examinations following reports of mobile phone use inside the examination hall, negligence in supervision and unsatisfactory performance.

According to a notification issued by controller of examinations, superintendent and a five-member invigilation team, including a woman invigilator, were removed with immediate effect and replaced with new staff.

The case has been referred to the department of elementary and secondary education for inquiry under efficiency and discipline rules, and disciplinary action against those found guilty.

CONSTRUCTION WORK: Residents have voiced frustration over the delay in the construction of the Timergara Bypass-Kandro Balambat link bridge despite partialrelease offunds.

The project, aimed at reducing heavy traffic at Shaheed Chowk and Timergara Bus Stand, was approved by MPA Malik Shafiullah Khan with a Rs630million allocation. However, work has yet to begin even after Rs30 million was released recently.