PESHAWAR: Students from Shangla have demanded the provision of better health and educational facilities to the people in their backward district.

The demand was made during a cultural function organised by the Shangla Students Society Peshawar at a local hotel on Saturday.

A large number of students from Shangla and activists of political parties attended the event.

Around 20 talented students were awarded shields and commendation certificates on excellent performance in the last academic year, while SSS officer-bearers Mohammad Ali Bacha, Danish Ahmad, Mohammad Abbas, Asad, Khoog Khan, Ijaz Ahmad, Latif Khan, Tariq Aziz Khan, Mohammad Javed and Basit Ali Shah received special prizes.

SSC chief Syed Mohammad Ali Bacha told participants that the students from Shangla had set up the organisation five years ago to highlight and resolve problems facing students on campus and in hostels across the province.

He complained that some politi-cal leaders from Shangla district didn`t help students in distress.

Mr Bacha said students from farflung areas of the backward district, mostly poor and needy, approached political leaders of the district for resolution of their problems but got no response or false assurances.

Pashto poet and TV artist Afsar Afghan regretted that talented girls of Shangla hadn`t been honoured.

He however said from next year, girl students from the district too would get talent awards.

The poet said the girls had always performed better than boys in studies at all levels.

Student Tariq Aziz said youths of Shangla were very talented but both central and provincial governments had ignored them during the award of scholarship and stipend schemes.

He said students from far-off places of the district worked hard despite poor economic background and therefore, they should be given financial support.

The student leaders urged the government to provide basic health amenities and educational facilities to the people of Shangla to help them compete with the people of developed areas of the province.

They also demanded that local youths be included in different projects launched by non-governmen-tal organisations in the district.

District nazim Niaz Ahmad Khan, who was also in attendance, said youths should focus on their studies and benefit from modern ways of formal learning.

He said the world was changing fast and therefore, the students should avail themselves of the most opportunities available to them.

The nazim announced a donation of Rs150,000 for the SSS development.

Former Shangla MPA Fazlulllah, who presided over the event, urged students to continue taking part in healthy activities to improve socialising skills.

He said the government should help needy youths pursue studies.

Later, a musical concert was held in which folk singers Ustad Janat Gul, Zia Sahil, Nageena, Shahnam, Nazaneen Anwar, Musl(an, Arzo, Suni Khan and Zeeshan performed.

Pashto folk singer Hareem Khan spellbound participants through her lively performance.

A group of students performed Pashto folk dance, attan, when she sang popular Pashto songs.

She told participants that such cultural activities would not only encourage local artists but also provide a respite to the students from academic activities. Bureau Report