PESHAWAR, Sept 19: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has stressed the need for a settlement of the Wana issue through dialogue and urged all political parities to forge unity for finding a negotiated solution to this issue.

"The government wants to hold negotiation with all political parties over Wana, because we believe that such issues can only resolved through dialogue," he said while speaking at a public gathering held at the Lahori Gate in Peshawar in connection with the joining of the PPP by former councillor Malik Sher Bahadur Khan along with his family members and associates.

The federal interior minister termed the Wana issue a national one and said that the government was in contact with all political parties, tribal elders and maliks. He expressed the hope that all patriots who wanted the country's stability would cooperate with the government.

He also reiterated the government's amnesty offer for foreigners in the South Waziristan Agency if they got themselves registered with local authorities. "We cannot allow our country to be used for terrorist activities," Mr Sherpao said.

He said that the government would also take tribal elders into confidence on Wana issue. Tribesmen, he added, had rendered great sacrifices for Pakistan and Kashmir. Referring to the opposition's hue and cry on President's retaining the post of chief of the army staff, Mr Sherpao said that President Pervez Musharraf's remaining in uniform was vital for the country's stability and the strengthening of democracy.

He criticized the performance of the MMA government in the NWFP and said that people's problems had not been resolved. Mr Sherpao said that MMA had not fulfilled any of its pre- election pledges even after the passage of one-and-a-half year. The gathering was also addressed by MPA Sikander Sherpao and Provincial President of PPP Pervaiz Khattak. -APP