SWABI/F.P. Report: Two pilgrims were killed and 11 injured when their coaster was fallen from the Adina Bridge here at night, said the police officials. Officials said the pilgrims were on their way to different areas, especially Ambila, of the Buner district from the Islamabad airport to their homes after performing the Haj. It has been learnt that all of them were pilgrims and none of them called their relatives to receive them at airport. They hired a coaster from the Islamabad Airport. However, the driver was not having any knowledge of the local routes, especially the Swabi-Mardan road. When they were entering the Adina Bridge, the driver lost control over the vehicle, utterly failing to take a sharp cut towards Mardan. The vehicle loaded with the language and 13 pilgrims fell into the deep Adina Badri Nullah.
Buner/Dawn:BEFORE Buner fell into the hands of insurgents in April 2009, only peace and tranquillity prevailed in the district. People used to move freely in each and every part of its jurisdiction.
However, as soon as the Taliban took over in April 2009, things took a turn for the worse. The people of the area became very defensive when the writ of the Taliban was established in the district. The people confined themselves to their homes and were scared of walking on streets and visiting bazaars.
Like the people living in other parts of Malakand division, the people of
Buner were also compelled to live as internally displaced people (IDP). Within a short time, at least 80 per cent of its population
migrated to the other districts of the province. Soon with the assistance of the Pakistan army the area was purged of the
Taliban and the writ of the government was
reestablished.
Now the people of the area can freely move about from one place to another without feeling threatened by any external force.
The Pakistan army has set up various checkposts at all sensitive entrance and exit points of the district. The local administration is also fully functional to provide the people maximum relief and justice.
However, due to the lack of basic facilities, particularly where health, education and communication are concerned, people’s life has become miserable.Although various national and international humanitarian organizations have initiated some relief and developmental schemes to compensate the poor segments of society, even then much remains to be done.
In some areas although hospitals, rural health centres, basic health units and dispensaries have been set up, they remain lacking in an efficient and qualified staff.
Most of them are without any women doctors to extend medical help to the womenfolk. Thus women have to face a lot of hardships and are left with no alternative but to visit male doctors.
Although three civil hospitals have been set up at Toatali, Navagai and Pacha Kalai and a district headquarters hospital at Daggar, they are hardly of any use to the people because even an aspirin tablet is not available here.
It is hoped that the authorities concerned would take prompt action to redress the genuine demands of the inhabitants of this backward and neglected area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
SHAUKAT HAYAT BUNERI
Chinglai Buner
