October 23, 2007	Tuesday	Shawwal 10, 1428

PESHAWAR, Oct 22: NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Orakzai has said the poor law and order situation in the tribal areas will not affect the upcoming election and it will be held on schedule.

“The situation is critical in North Waziristan and Bajaur but efforts are under way for peace in the area. It will not affect the forthcoming election and it will be held on schedule,” Mr Orakzai said while talking to reporters after inaugurating the girls section of the Islamia College, Peshawar.

He said the government was using the option of back-channel negotiations and jirgas had been engaged to find a solution to the problems.

When asked if the government was planning a military operation in the Swat district, he replied in the negative.

“Military operation will be the last resort when all other options fail,” the governor said.

He said the government was using negotiations as an instrument to resolve conflicts in the tribal areas.

He added that there was no need for deployment of an additional force in the tribal areas. “Surplus force should be pulled out of the area,” he remarked.