MANSEHRA: The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in collaboration with the Sungi Development Foundation (SDF) has disbursed Rs50,000 each among 1,400 deserving families of Balakot to help them establish small businesses to earn a respectable living.

`We have disbursed a non-refundable amount of Rs50,000 each among 1,400 poor families in remote villages of Kaghan valley and the programme is still in progress to benefit more such families,` said Shahzia Mehmood, the director programme of SDF, while speaking at the cheque distribution ceremony in Ghanool area of Kaghan valley on Friday.

The cheques of Rs4.6 million were given away to deserving families during the gathering.

A large number of men and women from three union councils of Balakot, including Ghanool, Thalhatta and Karnol, and officials of line departments attended the function.

Ms Mehmood said that both SDF and PPAF had been making joint efforts to address the core issue of poverty. `We want equal participation of women in politics and economic activities and it is why grants are bring given to them for launching small businesses,` she said.

The SDF representative said that Balakot was given priority in the poverty alleviation programme as families in the tehsil were badly affected by the devastating earthquake of 2005. `These grants are given following a tough scrutiny through local community forums, and after disbursement a proper monitoring mechanism is adopted for success of businesses,` said Ms Mehmood.

On the occasion, Mohammad Asif, the district programme coordinator, said that SDF and PPAF had been focusing on issues related to marginalised segments of society.

He said that besides grants technical trainings were also being imparted to youngsters of remote areas to enable them to earn anhonourableliving.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: Civil society activists and children held a rally and a candlelight vigil on Thursday night to show solidarity with the victims of the Army Public School, Peshawar.

The rally started from Badra road and ended at the Khatme-i-Nabuwwat square, where a candlelight vigil was held. It was led by MPA Sardar Zahoor and deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan.

SECURITY AT SCHOOLS: The district education department has issued directives to heads of public and private schools to adopt strict security measures in view of the terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar.

The directives were issued following a meeting chaired by district education officer Gohar Ali Khan.

According to the directives, schools should ensure that watchman remained at the gate throughout the school timing, and that the entrance to the school during classes should remain blocked to all except those with detailed identification.

The directives said that every school should evolve its own security plan which would be kept secret. Correspondent