10 April 2004	Saturday	19 Safar 1425

PESHAWAR, April 9: The Tehrik-i-Ittehad-i-Qabael has criticized the role of religious and political parties during the military operation in Wana and urged the government to ban their activities in Fata.

Speaking at a news conference here at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday, TIQ chief Malik Khan Marjan Wazir slammed the Awami National Party and Jamaat-i-Islami for holding Jirgas in Peshawar which, he alleged, were meant to serve their political ends and fuel hatred against the security forces.

He said tribesmen would not allow any conspiracy against the present system (Frontier Crimes Regulations) which, he added, had helped keep peaceful atmosphere in Fata.

He welcomed development schemes in Fata, including construction of schools, roads and hospitals. However, he criticized Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed for their 'anti-tribesmen' statement.

Mr Wazir urged the government to resolve the problem through negotiations instead of using force against tribal people. He suggested that the government should form a grand tribal Jirga and allow it to take stern action against the miscreants involved in anti-state activities in Fata.