MANSEHRA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leader Mufti Kifayatullah has demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunl(hwa government to allow seminaries to resume classes from June 1.

`The government has lifted the restrictions on transport and businesses, so it should allow seminaries to be operational without delay as demanded by the Wafaqu1 Madaris,` the JUI-F leader told a news conference here on Saturday.

Mr Kifayatullah, who is also the provincial nazim of Wafaqul Madaras in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the ulema and seminaries of Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia followed standard operationing procedures enforced by the government in letter and spirit to stem the spread of Covid-19.

`We have strictly followed SOPs, so now the government should accept our genuine demand for the reopening of seminaries across the province,` he said.

Mr Kifayatullah said the seminaries would take all preventive measures against the virus if they`re allowed to resume classes.

Also in the day, a group of private schools owners demonstrated outside the press clubhere seeking the government`s permission to reopen campuses.

The protesters wondered if restrictions on businesses and public transport were lifted, why the schools and colleges weren`t allowed to resume operations when they promised to follow SOPs.

PROT EST: Hundreds of labourers hampered supplies to Suki Kanari hydropower project here on Saturday protesting sackings and salary denial.

The protesters blocked the Mansehra-NaranJalkhad Road near Palas area in Kaghan valley causing suspension of the supply of concrete, cements, petrol and diesel, food and other goods to the project site on the Kunhar River.

The protest inconvenienced the road users, including nomads returning home after spending the winter season in lower parts of the country.

Labour leader Tahir Hussain Shah said the workers had been protesting for rights for two weeks, but to no avail.

He said the company hadn`t paid salary to over 1,600 project workers for three months and terminated their services.

He warned that the protesters would stay put for an indefinite period if their demands weren`t met.