MARDAN: Working folk grammar schools` employees, including teachers, clerical staff, watchmen and gardeners, have been suffering due to non-payment of salaries for last three months.

Sources said the federal finance division stopped releasing funds to the Workers Welfare Board (WWB) after sacking of board`s secretary Tariq Awan and appointment of his successor by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

They said that the WWB board ofgovernors had given two years extension to Tariq Awan, but the PTI-led government rejected the extension and appointed new secretary, leading to start of cold-war between federal and the provincial governments.

The sources said the tussle caused stoppage of salaries to employees for September, October and November, adding that transporters had also warned to stop picking and dropping workers` children owing to non-availability of funds.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Iqbal Khan, provincial president of MuttahidaL a b o u r Federation, told Dawn that labourers had not been receiving death and marriage grants for last three years as the authorities concerned had stopped provision of said fund without any reason.

He demanded of the prime minister and federal finance minister to take immediate measures toresolve the matter.

He warned to stage protest sit-in in front of parliament house in Islamabad if exploitation of labourers was not stopped.

TWO WITH EXPLOSIVES HELD: Police on Monday claimed to have arrested two persons with a big cache of explosives here.

Takht Bhai circle police stopped a double cabin-Datsun (2928/SLG) during a search operation at Shagunaka post and recovered 75 kilograms of explosives and a 12-bore rifle from the vehicle.

Police took the accused identified as Abdul Wahid and Mohammad Zahir Shah into custody and started further investigation into the matter.

Also, the Saro Shah police arrested a man, Nawab Khan of Saribalol area, and recovered 800 gram hashish from his possession.

NEW TEHSIL: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led provincial government has awarded tehsil status to Rustam town of Mardan district.

This was claimed by PTI MPA Tufail Anjum, who belongs to Rustam. He said that senior member of Board of Revenue Waqar Ayub Khan had issued a notification in this regard. Rustam will be the fourth tehsil of Mardan district.

Mr Anjum said Rustam tehsil would be functional after local government elections in the province.