Indus River Sailors in Mansehra get free life jackets

MANSEHRA: The district administration on Thursday handed over lifejackets to ferrymen for the safety of passengers sailing from Darband to Haripur and Torghar through Tarbela Lake. 

“No ferry could sail in the Indus River from here to its respective destinations in Hazara until its passengers are equipped with all safety gears,” Deputy Commissioner Khalid Iqbal told a ceremony held in Darband here.

District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur, Assistant Commissioner, Oghi, Fahad Zia and chairman of Darband village council Dilbar Khan Tanoli were also present on the occasion. Free life jackets were handed over to sailors of passengers’ ferries with the help of a non-governmental organisation.

“Tehsil administration will ensure that no ferry can take passengers from here to its respective destinations without putting all security measures in place. The step is being taken for the safety of the passengers,” the official said. The deputy commissioner said that the safety of passengers and even ferrymen was very important to them.

“The ferries are an important source of travelling from Mansehra to Haripur and neighbouring Torghar district through Indus River and Tarbela Lake and that is why the district administration wants to make their voyage safer and swift,” Iqbal said.Speaking on the occasion, DPO Shafiullah Gandapur said that the police had launched an anti-narcotics operation in the district and arrested dozens of drug pushers.