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.
He said such elements had no concern with the interests of the local people and were working on a mysterious agenda, therefore, tribal elders must help the government in its action against such elements. He reminded that lacking in development and employment opportunities were the basic reasons behind growing trends of militancy and terrorism in the region.
The Premier reminded that his government had evolved a well-planned strategy for development of the tribal area. In this respect, he said that a detailed survey could be conducted for exploitation of the mineral resources whereas he would personally inaugurate the proposed marble city in Mohmand Agency. He also announced establishment of six more cadet colleges in the tribal belt along with a medical college. Similarly he announced a special technical and vocational education institution for tribal youth. He also announced one billion rupees for electricity sector and RS 1.5 billion for afforestation. He also informed that government was planning to fill 5,775 vacancies in tribal areas whereas 15,000 vacancies of Levies and Khasadar forces would be created.
Denouncing terrorism and violence, the Prime Minister said, “Islam doesn’t allow aggression and violence against innocent human beings in any way. Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance.” He recalled that Islam never spread through guns and swords in past. He also pointed out that through violence and terrorism on the sacred name of Islam, these elements have damaged image of Islam and Muslim in the rest of the world. He on this occasion announced a series of development schemes and projects for the tribal areas and provision of basic amenities of life particularly maximum education opportunities.