BAJAUR: Work on the much-awaited Fajigram-Arang Road in the Utmankhel tehsil began here on Monday.

The five-kilometre-long road scheme, approved in 2019, was inaugurated jointly by PTI MPA Eng Ajmal Khan and his younger brother, Gul Dad Khan, a former MNA, at a ceremony.

The road project was approved in 2019 by Ajmal Khan during his first term in office.

Addressing the ceremony, Ajmal Khan and Gul Dad said that the project would resolve the longstanding issue of connectivity of the residents of several areas in the region.

They admitted that the inauguration of the project had been delayed for several years.

“We recognise that construction work on this important project could not begin as planned after its approval in 2019. We also understand that the prolonged delay in commencing the road’s construction disappointed the people, which we deeply regret,” they said.

However, they noted that a lack of funds delayed the inauguration of the project, adding the road would be constructed soon.

SALE OF ANTI-RODENT PILLS BANNED: The Bajaur administration on Monday banned the sale, distribution and possession of anti-rodent pills across the district through imposition of Section 144.

Deputy commissioner Shahid Ali Khan took the decision following reports that anti-rodent pills have frequently been used in suicide cases, according to a statement issued here.

“It has been brought to my notice that anti-rodent pills, commonly used as rodenticides, contain highly toxic substances such as aluminum phosphide or zinc phosphide, which are extremely dangerous to human life, and that the sale of these anti-rodent pills in the market poses a grave threat to public health and safety,” the statement quoted Mr Khan as saying.

The statement noted that these anti-rodent pills had frequently been used in suicides, as reported repeatedly from various parts of the district.

The DC banned the sale, distribution and possession for sale of anti-rodent pills in Bajaur with immediate effect.

The order shall remain operative till March 11 unless modified or withdrawn earlier.

Any person violating the restriction shall be punished under Section 188 of PPC.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2026