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Preservation of marble resources in Chitral demanded

From Our Correspondent

CHITRAL: President Awami National Party district chapter Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah has said that precious marble resources in the scenic valley are being wasted by non-locals who have occupied these resources on the pretext of lease.

This he said while talking to journalists here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Muzaffar Ali Shah said that few influential non-locals hailing from various parts of the country were busy in grabbing the marble resources, which was the biggest natural wealth in the district, adding that the move was tantamount to economic killing of the dwellers of the valley.

He alleged that non-locals after purchasing the valuable marble resources on lease had sold them out to other parties which were taking least interest in the development of a sound-based marble industry in the area, a long-standing demand of the people of the picturesque valley.

He continued that the wastage of natural resources had caused restlessness among the local population who would be left with no other option but to agitate if government did not take notice of the issue forthwith.

He demanded of Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti to cancel marble lease licenses of all non-locals and give them to locals without further delay.

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IFTAR party for the heirs of Police martyrs in Chitral held

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: District Police officer Chitral Sher Akbar has said that police department is fully proud of its martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for the sake of their homeland while purging the land of anti-social elements and terrorists. Addressing the iftar party for the family members of the martyrs in the district police lines here on Monday, he said that the department has already taken a number of measures for the amelioration of the dependents of the martyrs which included payment of the salary upto the age of 60, recruitment of their sons in police force, allotment of plot in the Regi Lalma township. He said that the morale of the force can be boosted up only when the heirs of the martyrs are accorded due respect and their needs are fulfilled and free them from financial constraints. He said that the department is doing its level best remaining its resources for the benefit of the dependents of the martyrs. Mr. Akbar said that he has recommended to the high-ups to rename the Garam Chashma police station after the name of Amanullah Shaheed who had lost his life recently in Swat. On this occasion, he gave away Eid gifts among the heirs of the martyrs which included cloths and sweets. DSPs Qazi Attaur Rehman, Mohammad Sabir and line officer Chiragh Hussain were also present on the occasion.