LAKKI MARWAT: District nazim Ashfaq Meenakhel on Wednesday demanded of the provincial government to declare the rain-affected parts of the district as calamity-hit and announce compensation for them.

During a visit to Takhtikhel and Marmandi Azeem union councils, which were hit by a hailstorm, he expressed sorrow over the losses caused by the calamity.

Local elders informed the nazim that the affected villagers were in dire need of assistance from the government.

Mr Meenakhel assured that the district government would make all out efforts for rehabilitation of the affected residents. `We will not leave our people alone in the time of distress,` he maintained.

The nazim said rain related damages had increased the worries of local people, and asked the provincial authorities to extend relief to them.

He also asked the people to help each other in times of trouble.

The government should declare the affected areas as calamity hit and direct the Provincial DisasterManagement Authority to ensure provision of relief items to the affected residents of rural localities, he demanded.

The district nazim also directed the heads of line departments to prepare a comprehensive report of rain related losses so that it could be forwarded to the provincial government for approval of a compensation package.

COUNCILLORS JOIN JI: Some local government representatives and elders joined Jamaat-i-Islami here on Wednesday.

They made announcements to this effect at public meetings in Titterkhel and Tajori, which were also attended by JI provincial chief Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, district emir Mufti Irfanullah and secretary general Sabz Ali Naveed.

On the occasion, the JI provincial chief said Pakistan came into existence in the name of Islam but no practical steps had been taken so far for enforcement of Sharia in the country.

He said the country was rich in natural resources with hardworking manpower but despite that the rulers failed to breal< the begging bowl. He claimed the JI had honest and sincere people to put the country on track to development.