April 24, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1429

PESHAWAR, April 23: NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti said that their efforts for restoration of peace were not confined to only a single district instead they were trying to have a design for the entire province.

He was talking to the journalists at Durbar Hall of Governor’s House after the induction of five more ministers in his cabinet here on Wednesday. He said that bringing all the hostile forces on the negotiating table was not easy but they made an honest move to settle the things. He said that a delegation of clerics, which contacted the government, had sought the release of only Sufi Mohammad and had not asked for the freedom of other detained militants.

He said that Sufi’s release would make positive impacts on peace efforts in the province. He said his government was in contact with the banned Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi, which was active in Malakand region. Mr Hoti said they had signed an agreement with followers of Sufi Mohammad for a negotiated solution to the problems. He hoped that TNSM leaders would honour the agreement and help his administration in restoring rule of law in the affected areas. He said so for the TNSM elders had responded positively to their peace initiative.

The chief minister denied that his coalition government had any contact with militant groups, reportedly operating in some parts of the tribal agencies, having different names. He said he had no knowledge of talks between his party and the militants other than TNSM: “We want to restore peace so that our people could earn livelihood in peace and dignity,” he said.

Mr Hoti said the proposed grand jirga would comprise people from all over NWFP to prepare a peace package for the entire province. He said that his coalition government had opted for a peace initiative to restore normalcy in the troubled areas. He said that names of the grand jirga members would be announced soon.

About Kalabagh dam, Mr Hoti said that it was a dead issue and they would not make any comment on it. He said it would be unwise to talk about it as people of this province had already rejected it.

The next budget, he said, would be people’s friendly. “Though we are short of time, we will give a welfare-oriented budget,” he added.

About induction of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, he said they were their coalition partner at centre and in the province. “They have asked for the ministries which we have already handed over to the ministers inducted in the first phase. We will bring them into the cabinet. Departments are no issue, as I have handed over my departments to others,” Mr Hoti added.

He, however, denied any further extension in near future in the cabinet.