LOWER DIR: The local chapter of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday demanded immediate action over `mismanagement` at University of Malakand.

Addressing an emergency news conference at Chakdara Press Club, PPP leaders Advocate Alamzeb, Naeemullah Khan, Asad Khan and Zahid Shah and PSF president at UoM Wajahatullah raised concerns over favouritism in the university.

They demanded abolition of semester system and internal marking by teachers and an independent investigation into a recent harassment incident. Calling for strict action against those responsible, they stressed the need for protection of female students and prioritisation of local youth in recruitment.

The PPP leaders urged government to lift ban on student unions and allow students to advocate for their rights and enjoy freedom of expression on campus.

DETENTION: Iftikhar Ali, a resident of Samarbagh, has accused Islamabad police of illegal detention of his 10-yearold son Jawad Ali.

Talking to journalists on Tuesday, he urged interior minister and inspector general of police (IGP) to take immediate action against a sub-inspector, Tanveer Kiani, of Shehzad Town police station.He said that after a minor dispute with neighbours, his family filed a complaint with police. Instead of addressing their concerns, Kiani detained Jawad unlawfully and subjected him to mental torture, he alleged. He added that the trauma badly affected Jawad, leaving him unable to prepare for his examinations.

He called upon prime minister, chief justice and other authorities to provide justice to his son.

PROTEST: Scores of employees of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) staged a protest in Timergara on Tuesday against delay in payment of their salaries and mass layoffs.

Marching from Balambat warehouse to Shaheed Chowk, they threatened to stage a demonstration in Islamabad if their dismissed colleagues were not reinstated.

The protesters were led by Ali Mohammad Ijaz Khan and Yousaf.

They said that USC was founded in 1971 by former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to support underprivileged communities.

They criticised government for neglecting its responsibilities. They said that employees should be given golden handshake and a relief package if government had decided to shut down utility stores.

Correspondent