July 04, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 29, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 3: Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi has warned of quitting the cabinet if interests of the people of his area are ignored and the military operation in tribal areas is prolonged.

Mr Afridi who belongs to the area where security forces are conducting an operation said this in response to demands made by some people of his constituency to resign if he was unable to get the operation stopped.

He said protection of Fata people’s interests was his first priority and the issue would be raised at every forum.

Talking to journalists on Thursday, he said a jirga of tribal elders should immediately be constituted for resolving issues, rather than prolonging the military operation.

Tribal elders can find a workable solution for restoring law and order, he said, adding that the operation had created anxieties in the area which would further deteriorate the situation.

The minister said he had categorically stated at the cabinet meeting held in Karachi that the military operation would not solve the problems of Fata, particularly Bara, and the issues could be resolved through consultation with elected representatives and elders of the area.

If the NWFP government had any concern about the situation, it should consult the elected representatives of the area, he said.