Force last option against militancy, law and order biggest challenge to NWFP: Chief Minister

PESHAWAR : Chief Minister NWFP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti Thursday reiterated to vigorously pursue his strategy of holding negotiations and other amicable options to get rid of the growing militancy in the Frontier Province and sought the cooperation of the house in making the province a citadel of peace and harmony.
“This is our problem as no body from outside will bail us out from this curse as our people are being subjected to atrocities and killings,” he told the house amidst applause after obtaining confidence vote.
He on this occasion also announced formation of a representative jirga at provincial level comprising members of the house, local elite, Ulema which will make across the board efforts for maintenance of peace in the province in accordance with the local traditions.
He regretted that in the past no one tried to explore the peaceful paths to get rid of the militancy and extremism. “We are determined to exhaust all peaceful options through negations and jirgas which are the traditions of Pukhtoons and this province”, he assured.
The Chief Minister declared in clear terms that the land of frontier province belonged to people believing in peace and tranquility, adding, this land has produced great sages like Pir Rokhan, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rehman Baba and Baacha Khan who were protagonists of non-violence and preachers of brotherhood. He on the occasion referred to notions spread against Pukhtoons in the West and said that “we are not terrorists and extremists rather disciples of these great leaders”.
Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said the government of United Kingdom under ‘Good Friday Agreement’ had restored peace in their country when series of blasts rocked London. The same could happen here if serious and sincere efforts were made, he explained.
However he made it clear that offers for negotiations and peace should not be construed as weakness of the government and warned to come hard if anyone tried to sabotage the peace process or engages in getting undue benefit of the government’s goodwill gesture. To address the problems of law and order in restive Swat District a committee has been constituted.
He also dilated upon strengthening law enforcing agencies especially the police force and outlined his plans to equip the law enforcers with latest weapons, equipment, infrastructure and technical know how. “We are planning to raise Elite Force comprising 7500 men to combat crimes and anti social activities”, he maintained. The government, he assured will revise the salary structure of the police force and planning to introduce health and life insurance policy for the police jawans.
He disclosed that 34 Frontier Constabulary platoons deputed outside the province would be called back as he had already talked to the Prime Minister keeping in view the grim situation of public order in NWFP. The condition of bomb disposal squad was also not good and needed overhauling.