PTA lacks mechanism to fix fares for CNG-fitted transport

PESHAWAR: The provincial transport authorities of the province are lacking mechanism for fixation of fares for CNG-run public transport particularly long route vans, popularly known as Hiace.

"We have no mechanism or slabs like diesel to fix fares for CNG-fitted vehicles, therefore the fares are always fixed in proportion to increase in the prices of diesel and petroleum in the province," Ahmad Nasim, Secretary Regional Transport Authority (RTA), told this news agency.

After the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products, the local transporters had once again approached the RTA for increase in fares. Surprisingly, on all long routes of the intra-provincial and inter-provincial level, the diesel-run buses have been replaced by the CNG-converted Hiace vans.

"The matter of the preparation of slabs of fuel is the responsibility of Provincial Transport Authority (PTA), which had so far not prepared any mechanism in this regard," the secretary added.

The lack of the mechanism for fixation of fares for CNG-fitted public transport is being exploited by the transport mafia, which goes for increase in the fares in either minor or big hikes in the fuel prices.

During the present gas load management and closure of CNG filling stations, the owners of the CNG-fitted vehicles charged much higher fares on the pretext of consumption of petrol.

Interestingly, Department of Excise and Taxation, which is responsible for the registration of vehicles also has no data or statistics of the vehicles converted from diesel into CNG.

The conversion of vehicle from diesel to CNG did not require any permission therefore he said they have no record of the number CNG-fitted vehicles in the province.

In this connection a senior official of the newly-created Department of Transport told that the matter would be raised in the next meeting of the department.

He said that the government would ultimately make a law to pass on the benefit of the low cost fuel to the masses.

The official agreed with the growing demand of two separate fare rates for diesel and CNG consuming vehicles to end the prevailing high transport fares in the province.

Ahmad Nadir Khwaja, a local transporter said CNG is manifold economical than diesel.

He said that a CNG-fitted vehicle consumes one kilogram fuel for a distance of 19 to 20 kilometres while one litre diesel is consumed in a distance of 5 to 6 kilometres.

Secretary PTA, Amjad Afridi said that the government is encouraging CNG-run vehicles for the sake of pollution-free environment to the people.

He said that in past the province was lacking separate Department of Transport and was working like a wing of Department of Environment in the province.

Afridi said that other stakeholders including commuters and consumers association also attend such meetings.

He said that in next such meeting, the matter of separate fare list for the CNG-run vehicles would be discussed.

Khwaja was of the view that the matter requires policy decision at the top level of the provincial government. - APP

SCCI rejects new textbook printing policy

PESHAWAR: President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Riaz Arshad has rejected National Textbook and Learning Materials Policy and Action Plan and termed it a way for promotion of corruption.

In a press statement issued here Monday, he requested Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti for using his influence and protect the rights of the printing sector in the war-affected province.

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation comprising chairman, SCCI standing committee on Printers and Publishers Standing Committee, Sheheryar Lodhi and president Industrial Estate Hayatabad, Malik Niaz Ahmad, Muhammad Shakeel Qureshi, Iqtidar Ali Akhundzada, Haji Muhammad Akhtar, Niaz Ahmad, Tariq Naveed and Haji Faizullah.

The SCCI chief said that the new textbook policy was repugnant to promotion of education, increase in literacy and even against the interest of the printing sector in the province.

He said that the publication of the textbooks through publishers would promote the interest of multinational companies and particular class of society and would besides encouraging corruption it would pushed up the price of textbooks.

Riaz said that the distribution of textbooks through publishers was tantamount to the financial murder of the printing sector and is a shameful and sheer injustice with the people and printing sector of the war-hit province.

Arshad assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up with both federal and provincial governments and they would be informed regarding the reservations of printing sector on the new textbook policy.

He demanded of the government to get textbooks published by textbook board instead of private publishing companies and sought action against elements involved in forcible enforcement of the new policy.

On this occasion, the delegation made it clear that in case of failure of the government in bringing change in the new textbook policy, the printers and publishers of the province would move judiciary against it. - APP

35th death anniversary of Hayat Sherpao observed

PESHAWAR: The 35th death anniversary of former governor and founding leader of PPP Frontier chapter Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao was observed here Monday.

In this connection, a function was arranged at Nishtar Hall wherein the participants unanimously adopted a resolution vowing to continue the mission of Shaheed Sherpao who was assassinated in a bomb blast in University of Peshawar on February 8, 1975.

Chairman of his own faction Pakistan People’s Party (S) and former interior minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, general secretary Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao and others leaders addressed the gathering.

The participants accorded approval to several resolutions put up during the event.

The resolution pertained to expressing confidence in the central chairman of the party, condemning target killing of Pukhtuns in Karachi, opposing the appointment of administrators by the provincial government in the province, ensuring provincial autonomy as enshrined in the constitution, expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order in the province. - APP

Doctors posted in BKMC

PESHAWAR: The provincial government on the recommendation of Public Service Commission has ordered the appointment of the two doctors as assistant professor Biochemistry at Bacha Khan Medical College (BKMC) Mardan on regular basis with immediate effect.

A notification issued here on Monday says Dr Fatahiya Kashif, presently working as assistant professor (Contract) CMH Lahore has been appointed as assistant professor Biochemistry (BS-18) while Dr Muhammad Siyar, presently serving as demonstrator in the college has been appointed as assistant professor Biochemistry (BS-18). - APP

EDO calls meeting against unauthorised raids on schools

PESHAWAR: The female teachers have shown great resentment over surprise raids by the un-authorised people on the public sector girls' schools in the provincial capital and to address the problem, the EDO Education has called a meeting on February 14.

EDO Jamilur Rehman told this news agency here on Monday that he has received such complaints and in view of the issue, he has called meetings of the male and female principals of the government schools of the provincial metropolis.

He said, he would strictly direct the principals of the schools not to allow any person to conduct raids at his/her school without the permission of the EDO.

However, he said the MPAs as being elected representatives would be exempted from such restriction.

Jamil further explained that he would soon issue a circular to this effect to ban the raids without permission.

The MPAs elected from PF-4 and other constituencies of the city have been alleged to have granted unofficial powers to the people on party basis to conduct raids on schools with a view to keep check on the performance of teachers.

However, it has been complained by some teachers that instead of raiding the boys' schools, the raiding teams were raiding female schools and were allegedly harassing teachers and demanding bribes, threatening them of transfer outside home stations.

The teachers have said that such cases happened in the past also but were resolved due to the timely intervention of the provincial government.

It is pertinent to mention here according to the directive of the provincial government prior permission before conducting raids in schools was needed from EDO (Education). Moreover, the presence of female circle officer in the raiding party was also necessary. - APP

‘Value-addition in gemstones can earn more foreign exchange’

PESHAWAR: Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has said there existed vast potential to earn foreign exchange not only through promoting exploration of precious stones but also ensuring their value-addition, which, he remarked, required concrete initiatives and making institutionalised arrangements on fast-track basis.

Addressing a ceremony of awarding diplomas to the graduates of Gemology Training Course here on Monday, the governor, who is also the chancellor of University Engineering and Technology, said, "we need to establish a Centre of Excellence in this particular sector under the aegis of the university and develop skilled manpower".

The 6-month course, which was fourth of its nature, was meant for students from FATA and was arranged by the university on its premises through the sponsorship of USAID. 

In all 15 graduates from FATA were awarded diplomas on this occasion.

To attract international buyers of gems, Owais said, is also a very sensitive aspect of this field and to get internally accepted recognition for the products, there is also a dire need to establish a "gems certification and evaluation laboratory" in the provincial capital.

Appreciating the USAID programme for sponsoring the training, Ghani said, this indeed will prove helpful in not only generating job opportunities for the youth but also to encourage export of value-added precious stones instead of the rough material.

In fact, he said, huge deposits of different kinds of minerals exist in the province and FATA and we also need support and sponsorship for their development.

The initiatives of the university, he added, will definitely help in improving mining qualities.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gillani while addressing on this occasion thanked the governor not only for sparing time to preside over the function but also hosting the ceremony at Governor's House.

The ceremony was attended by US Consul General in Peshawar, Candace Putnam, the senior authorities of FATA Secretariat and USAID besides the senior faculties of the university. - APP

CM, minister grieved over death of Khattak

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti has expressed grief over the death of veteran ANP leader and senior politician Ajmal Khattak and termed it a great national loss.

In a condolence message issued here on Monday, the chief minister paid glorious tributes to the political and literary services of the deceased saying that with the death of Ajmal Khattak the nation is deprived of an elder and sincere Pukhtun leader.

Hoti that the vacuum left by the death of Khattak would be filled in centuries and his absence would be felt for a long time to come.

Paying rich tributes to Khattak's outstanding services in the field of politics and for the promotion of Pushto language and literature, he said that the late Khattak had been an active politician affiliated with Bacha Khan Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek and his efforts for the protection of the rights of the Pukhtuns and for the freedom struggle were written in golden words in the history of the country.

The chief minister prayed for the deceased and for patience to the bereaved family members.

Meanwhile, Minister for Labour Sher Azam Wazir has also expressed grief over the death of the veteran politician and expressed sympathies with the affected family members. - APP

Saudi King is most popular leader

PESHAWAR: King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia is the most popular leader in Muslim countries.

A survey conducted by Pew Research Centre's Global Attitudes Project shows about 92 per cent of Jordanians and 83 per cent of Egyptians reposed their full confidence in King Abdullah, saying that he will do the right things in international affairs, a foreign television channel reported.

The Saudi King received positive ratings outside the Middle East as well, especially in largely Muslim Asian nations, such as Pakistan (64 per cent) and Indonesia (61 per cent).

The survey was conducted in six pre-dominantly Muslim nations-Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan and Turkey as well as the Palestinian territories and among the Muslim population of Nigeria and Israel's Arab population.

The survey found that there was limited enthusiasm for the Muslim political figures covered by the survey, with the exception of King Abdullah.

The Pew Centre said it is the second time that King Abdullah has topped the list of most popular leaders in polls conducted by it.

He also clinched the top position in a poll carried out by the centre in 2007. – APP