July 21, 2008	Monday	Rajab 17, 1429

PESHAWAR, July 20: MPA Attiq-ur-Rehman has termed military operation in Hangu a “drama” and asked the NWFP government to stop the action and resolve the issue through dialogue.

The MPA from Hangu claimed that security forces had not arrested a single Taliban in the operation and only innocent people had suffered.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, Mr Rehman who belongs to Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) said that the so-called army operation had failed in achieving the objectives and increased agonies of the innocent citizens.

Criticising the coalition government in the province, he said that the Awami National Party on the one hand had started peace talks with the Taliban in Swat district while on the other hand military was called in which had further aggravated the situation in Hangu. “If government holds talks with Taliban in Swat why not in Hangu district,” he questioned, adding that security forces did not arrest a single Talib in the operation so far.

He said that the operation had caused large scale displacement and people had shifted from Doaba, Zargari and Neryab to Kohat district.

Mr Rehman said that the curfew had caused severe shortage of food items and families had been living in tents. He alleged that the operation was kicked off when local Taliban stopped the district government and police from smuggling wheat to Afghanistan.