October 30, 2007	Tuesday	Shawwal 17, 1428

TIMERGARA, Oct 29: Ulema and political leaders pledged at a meeting of the Lower Dir Peace Jirga on Monday to make all possible efforts to maintain peace in Lower Dir and extend cooperation to the administration.

The meeting, convened by DCO Dr Attaur Rehman on the directives of the provincial government, was held here on Monday and presided over by Nazim Ahmad Hassan Khan.

Participants of the meeting discussed law and order situation and said that in the backdrop of the Swat situation there was a possibility of militants’ entry into Lower Dir.

They said that Ulema should avoid delivering emotional speeches and work for creating a tolerant society.

Religious leaders and media should play their role to promote peace in the area, they added.

Members of the Jirga assured the administration that they would cooperate with law-enforcement agencies to maintain peace in the district.

The meeting decided that a representative jirga would be constituted to hold talks with NWFP caretaker chief minister.

DCO Dr Attaur Rahman told journalists that as the people of Usherai and Toormang Dara had assured the administration that they would not allow any foreigner to enter the area, the deployment of Scouts’ personnel in the area had been delayed.

Those attended the meeting included JUI-F Provincial Amir Senator Maulana Gul Naseeb, JI district Amir Maulana Ahmad Ghafoor, JUI district Amir Maulana Zahid Khan, PML-Q district president Sardar Abdul Hakim, PML-N district president Rashid advocate, ANP district president Haji Bahadar Khan, PPP leader Malik Azmat Khan, TNSM leader Malik Mehmood Jan and JI’s Mohammad Rasool Khan.