Gilani woos Fata elders for peace

PESHAWAR - While reaffirming his stance on restoration of peace and stability throughout the region through peaceful and political means, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has sought support of FATA elders in purging these areas with all militants. “We are determined to give books and pens to youngsters of the region instead of suicide jackets,� the Prime Minister said while addressing a tribal jirga at Governor’s House here Monday.
He said that certain foreigners didn’t want peace to return to the region, therefore, the responsibility rests with the tribal elders to help the government in flushing out such elements from the area.
Beside NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti and Governor Engineer Awais Ahmad Ghani, Provincial President of Awami National Party Afrasiab Khattak, provincial senior ministers Bashir Ahmad Bilour and Rahim Dad Khan, provincial ministers and other high-ranking authorities were present in the meeting.
Gilani said that in a bid to restore peace and stability in all over the region, strategy would be evolved in a high-level meeting to be held at Islamabad on Wednesday. Beside others, he said that he was going to invite former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, ANP’s Asfandyar Wali Khan, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
In his comprehensive speech before the tribal elders from all seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions, the Premier reminded the tribal elders about their responsibilities of assisting the government in combating growing trends of militancy and terrorism and return of peace as well.
“Talks and dialogues are our first priority for return of peace throughout the tribal region,� said Gilani, adding that operation would be the last option. Gilani said that the elements, which landed from abroad in the region, were working for violence and terror.