BANNU, Sept 19: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani has said that the Frontier government is against the military operation in tribal areas and is of the view that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with tribal customs and traditions.
Speaking at a meeting of tribesmen from the Bakakhel and Janikhel areas of the Bannu frontier region at the Peepal Mandi, the chief minister said that tribesmen were the most patriotic citizens and unpaid defenders of the country's western frontiers.
Mr Durrani said certain elements were working against the interests of Pakistan at the behest of foreign powers operating across the western borders. He urged the tribesmen to refuse sanctuary to foreigners in the tribal areas and stop attacks on paramilitary forces and government installations in their areas.
The chief minister told another public meeting at Ghoriwala that the solidarity of the country was linked with real democracy and strengthened democratic institutions. He said at this critical juncture of the history, unity in the ranks and files of Muslims was necessary to ward off the looming dangers.
The chief minister on the occasion held out an assurance that the provincial government would not deviate from its manifesto. The MMA government was least bothered about the propaganda being made about the parties of the ruling alliance by the opponents.
He said that the Hasba bill would be presented in the provincial assembly in near future, which would ensure enforcement of Shariat in the province. Minority community was enjoying full religious freedom in the province while their members in the assembly had been provided matching development funds, he added.
About provincial rights, Mr Durrani said the present government had represented its case at the Centre in an effective manner due to which NWFP's share in profit in the hydle power generation had been increased up to Rs8 billion. No compromise would be made on provincial rights, he added.
Speaking at a traders meeting, the chief minister said that the MMA government's policies were people friendly. He said that investors were being approached to set up cement, glass and automobile plants in Bannu district, which would boost trade activities in the region.
