May 14, 2006	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1427

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PESHAWAR, May 13: Talks between the NWFP governor and a group of senators from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) remained inconclusive here on Saturday when the latter set a May 16 deadline for acceptance of their demands.

“We will join the opposition bloc if our demands are not met by May 16,” said Senator Hafiz Abdul Malik, who was invited for talks with Governor Khalilur Rehman after his group withdrew support for the treasury benches on Thursday.

The group’s demands include representation in the federal cabinet, privileged information about the launching of military action in their areas and allocation of substantial development funds for their respective agencies.

However, Senator Abdul Malik told Dawn that the group’s members would not insist on representation in the cabinet because they were not interested in portfolios.

He said Governor Khalil had assured them that their grievances would be addressed.

A handout issued here from the Governor’s Secretariat said that the dissident senator had informed the governor about their row with the federal government and explained their viewpoint in this regard.

The governor assured them that he would discuss their demands with the president and the prime minister.

The handout said that the group expressed reservations about the governor’s secretariat in Fata and the governor issued directives to the authorities to take senators into confidence on the ADP, law and order and other matters of public welfare.

The group comprises Senator Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Hafiz Abdul Malik, Eng Rashid Ahmad and Abdul Razzaq. Later Senator Hafiz Rashid also joined the group.