Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: Under the banner of the Khyber Syasi Ittehad (Khyber Political Alliance) protest demonstration was held against the proposed privatisation of the Agency Headquarter(AHQ) Hospital, Landikotal was held on Sunday. A number of political workers of different parties, tribal and health officials, tied black ribbon on their hands and marched from the hospital to Bacha Khan Chowk, Landikotal Bazaar while holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of their demand.

Addressing the angry mob, the General Sectary of the alliance and President Pakistan People Party (PPP) Khyber Agency President, Hazrat Wali Afridi said that privatising the AHQ, Hospital was equalling to deprive the poor tribals from basic and cheaper health facilities which was regrettable. Instead of privatisation,the high-ups should improve the efficiency of the hospital so that it could deliver in a better way, he remarked. He urged upon the dwellers of the area to join hands with them to safeguard their interests. Afridi asked the authorities to have mercy on the transport community and revise the passport condition set up for them at the border crossings. Lashing out at the parliamentarians, he said they had not raised their voice against the expected privatisation of the hospital and other problems being faced by the locals. Ex-Paramedical Association President, Fazal Rehman, said that privatisation of the health centre was not the solution of its poor performance but it was an attempt to hide corruption carried out in constructing new blocks in the hospital. The authorities concerned, they stated had earlier announced giving A-grade status to the hospital but unfortunately after construction of the building, it was not given the due status and the crew was not provided as well, Fazal said.

President Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Agency, Shah Hussain Shinwari, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader, Zernoor Afridi, Khyber Transport President Shakir Afridi and the President Khyber Youth Forum (KYF) also spoke on the occasion. Angry protesters categorically warned they would initiate a protest demo in front of the Peshawar Press Club and a written complaint would be lodged at the Governor’s House Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if their demands were not accepted.