BAJAUR: A daylong cultural festival was held here on Friday to highlight the Bajaur tribal district`s foods, music and tourism spots.

Arranged by Bajaur Culture Association with the financial support of European Union, the festival was held at the Jirga Hall in Civil Colony, Khar.

Poets, writers and people from different walks of life participated.

Opening the event, the association`s president Anwar Nigar said the festival was meant to help promote tourism spots, local culture, food and music.

Religious figure Maulana Khan Zeb, Bajaur Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Haji Lali Shah, elders Malik Shaheen Khan, Malik Shah Wali Khan, PPP leader Aaurang Zeb, poets Lal Zada Sagar, Ashana Bajauri and others addressed the event.

They welcomed the festival and said such events were necessary to depict the real picture of the district and its culture and traditions.

They said Bajaur had a great culture, musicians, poets, writers and historical sites, but they were yet to be promoted.

Poets recited their pieces, highlighting local culture and traditions.

Different stalls of local foods, footwear and books authored by local writers were also put on display. The festival ended with a traditional music concert.

STRIKE: Doctors and other staff members of three hospitals have continued boycotting duties against non-payment of salaries for four months.

The strike suspended patient care to the misery of visitors to the Category D hospitals in Nawagai town of Nawagai tehsil, Larkholozo area of Mamond tehsil and Pashat town of Salarzai tehsil.

The protesters had set the Monday deadline for payment of dues.

In separate meetings at their respective hospitals, the employees said salary denial for four months was an act of great injustice to them on part of authorities.

They said they took up the matter with the relevant officials and got false assurances for early payments.

The speakers demanded an early intervention by the caretaker chief minister and top bosses of the health department for the resolution of the issue.

When contacted, a senior official of the local health department said though the department had nothing to do with the matter, it was `very concerned` about it.

CAR BURNT: Unknown miscreants set a car on fire in Kas Krewand area of Momand tehsil on Friday.

`Unknown miscreants set fire to the car parked inside my house,` owner Shaukat Khan told Dawn.

He urged police to trace the culprits.

`We have registered a case and launched efforts to trace the culprits,` said an of ficial at the Mamond police station.