CHARSADDA: Residents of Rajar Amirabad area here on Sunday took to the streets against severe gas loadshedding on the first day of Ramazan.

The demonstrators blocked the Charsadda-Tangi Road and chanted slogans against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines.

Excessive gas loadshedding was also reported in other areas of the district, including Kaladher, during Iftar.

The protesters said that experiencing gas loadshedding on the very first day of the fasting month was an injustice to consumers. They also flayed the lawmakers for ‘leaving the people in the lurch’.

The speakers noted that lack of gas caused severe difficulties for women in performing household chores. They warned of taking to the streets again if gas loadshedding was not stopped immediately.

PRICES GO UP: With the arrival of Ramazan, there has been an artificial increase in the prices of meat, chicken, and other essential items, prompting public and social circles to demand corrective measures from the district administration.

As Ramazan begins, price of meat in Charsadda has risen from Rs1,000 to Rs1,100 per kg instead of official rate of Rs850 per kg, while boneless meat is being sold from Rs1,300 to Rs1,400 per kg. Chicken prices are being reported at Rs485 per kg, but there is a discrepancy of 200 to 250 grams in weight.

The citizens, including social activists Shahid Khan, Haroon and Shah Saud, urged the district administration to take practical steps to provide relief to the public.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner took immediate notice, and asked assistant commissioner Riaz Ahmed to launch a crackdown on profiteers in various markets of Charsadda tehsil.

Later, Mr Ahmed checked prices through test purchases and got arrested six butchers for violating official rates, and sent them to jail.

TRAINING SESSION: A four-week-long training session aimed at enhancing the teaching skills of faculty members of the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, concluded here.

Faculty members from various departments were trained in modern teaching methods.

The National Academy for Higher Education (NAHE), in collaboration with Directorate of ARC at the Bacha Khan University, organised the specialised training session under the National Outreach Programme.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training session, Vice-Chancellor Prof Zahid Hussain said the initiative supported early-career teachers in adopting modern teaching methods, and promoted collaborative approaches, thereby enhancing the overall learning experience for students.

On this occasion, Dr Asher Samuel Bhatti, director Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialisation (ORIC), praised the efforts of NAHE in modernising teaching methods in higher education institutions.

He said the aim of the programme was to enhance educational skills, promote innovation, and equip faculty members with the latest advancements in their respective fields.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2025