Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti on Saturday said his government had agreed to negotiate with the militants in the larger interest of the country, only if the rebels laid down their weapons.
Addressing to a large gathering of Awami National Party (ANP) activists at FC ground, Hoti said, “We have agreed to negotiate with the militants only if they surrender, but if they don’t, then we would continue our ‘Jihaad’ against them.” Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftekhar, Senior Minister Bashir Bilor, ANP’s provincial President Afrasyaab Khattak and provincial General Secretary Arbab Tahir were also present at the occasion.
The chief minister said the Pashtoons had rendered numerous sacrifices, and that scores of people had been killed in terror attacks, however the terrorists could not subdue their commitment to establish peace. He said that peace had been restored in Swat after sacrifices made by the people and the security forces. On the occasion, he announced several development schemes for Tank district worth Rs 200 million, including establishment of tube wells, construction of the Amakheil-Mulazai road, and construction of Surhaeli and Shah Alam bridges.
Meanwhile, journalists boycotted the ceremony and walked out after the chief minister did not announce the promised Rs 1 million grant and media colony for Tank Press Club.
