MANSEHRA: Traders have complained about the shortage of space in graveyards and criticised the district administration over failure to use the Rs200 million funds approved in 2016 by the then prime minister, Nawaz Sharif for new graveyards.

They warned that they would take to the streets if the administration didn’t acquire land for cemeteries.

“Though graveyards both within the city and its outskirts are short of space, the district administration is not utilising the sufficient funds it has in its bank account since 2016 for new graveyards,” chairman of the central trader body Fayyaz Solaria told reporters here on Wednesday.

He said the residents of union councils I, II, III and IV had to dig up old graves to bury their family members.“No burial space is left in Kuawalli Ziarat, Mochi Baba Ziarat, Mohallah Channia and other graveyards,” he said.

Traders threaten protest over admin’s failure to use graveyard funds

“If the administration can’t find a large piece of land for a common graveyard for the four union councils, then it should acquire separate plots for them without delay. If that doesn’t happen, we will take to the streets,” he said.

CLASSES DEMANDED: The residents of Sungar area in Balakot tehsil have demanded of the education department to begin classes in the only higher secondary school of the locality. They warned that if the demand wasn’t met, they would hold street protests.

“This higher secondary school was established in 2012 to cater to the needs of many villages but classes have yet to begin here to the misery of the local children,” former tehsil councillor Ashfaq Khan told reporters in Balakot on Wednesday.

Leading a group of residents, Mr Ashfaq said the issue was taken up with local lawmakers and education department officials many times, but to no avail.

He said after the completion of matriculation course, the local students either quit education or shifted to Balakot and Mansehra for further education.The former councillor said the residents of Sungar union council and adjoining villages would stage street protests if classes didn’t begin in the school without delay.

He also demanded of the chief minister to intervene for the relief of the locals.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2020