MARDAN: Four engineers died and two technicians received critical wounds when a fire gutted a Sheikh Maltoon Town house here early on Monday.

The Rescue 1122 officials said the fire erupted at around 4am due to gas leak after an engineer turned on the light.

They said all the deceased and injured worked with a private company.

The officials said the deceased were Nauman Asghar of Rawalpindi, Mohammad Shahbaz of Bhawalnagar (Punjab), and Mohammad Bilal and Faisal Khan of Kohat.

They said the injured, Naveed and Akhtar, were referred to the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar by the Mardan Medical Complex doctors in critical condition. The local police registered a case and began investigation to know the exact cause of the incident.

PASHTO LITERARY PROGRAMMES: Local young poets on Monday asked the government to take the immediate yet effective steps for the revival and promotion of Pashto literary programmes.

The demand was made during the `youth poetry competition` held in Par Hoti Mardan area. The event was organised by the Institute for Cultural and Civic Education with the support of the Rich Programme of the culture department.

Sixteen young poets took part in the competition adjudicated by literary figures including Faizul Wahab Faiz, Sahil Yousafzai and Noor Rahman Sahar.

Jangrez Khan Awan secured first prize, Abdul Qayum Pasarly second and Shahzeb Khan third.

ICCE chairman Akbar Khan Hoti highlighted the RICH programme and appreciated the culture department for organising the event.

The speakers on the occasion said there was need for the immediate yet effective steps on part of the government to revive and promote Pashto literary programmes. Correspondent