July 23, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 19, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 22: Explaining his party’s policy on war against terrorism to members of the National Assembly from Fata, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday sought their help in eradicating militancy and extremism from society.

The meeting was attended by seven MNAs from Fata.

Two MNAs -– Noorul Haq Qadri and Munir Khan Orakzai -– walked out of Zardari House in protest against the attitude of security personnel deputed at the gate.

According to PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar, during the meeting Mr Zardari discussed issues pertaining to the tribal areas, the war on terror and its impact on the people.

The MNAs were invited by Mr Zardari a day before the meeting of the heads of the coalition partners called by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The MNAs who called on Mr Zardari are: Malik Bilal Rehman (Mohmand Agency), Sajjad Hussain Turi (Kurram), Jawad Hussain (Lower Orakzai), Shaukatullah (Bajaur), Syed Akhonzada Chatan (Bajaur), Federal Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi (Khyber) and Zafar Beg Bhittani.

PPP secretary-general Jehangir Bader, MNA Fouzia Habib and Sardar Ali Khan also attended the meeting.

Mr Zardari said the main plank of the PPP’s Fata policy was political engagement, massive socio-economic development, social integration of the area into the mainstream of national politics and finally to use force as and when necessary to restore the writ of the state.

He, however, said the use of force would be in such a manner that there was no or minimum collateral damage.

MNA Munir Orakzai said that they had gone to the Zardari House at the invitation of the party’s co-chairman, but the security personnel posted at the main gate misbehaved with them.

He said that a PPP delegation had been sent by Mr Zardari in the evening to apologise for the incident.

According to a handout issued by the PPP Media Office, Mr Zardari said there was need to explain to the people the coalition government’s anti-terror strategy and enlist public support for the fight against militancy to save Pakistan.

He said Fata continued to remain a backward and there was an urgent need to integrate it into the mainstream of national politics in such a way that the traditions and customs of its people were not violated.

He said the extremists could not be allowed to foist their agenda on the people of Pakistan through coercion and intimidation.

The MNAs also talked about the difficulties being faced by the people because of frequent closures of the main road in Kurram Agency due to sectarian strife and stressed the need for bolstering security along Darra Adamkhel Road.

They also called for steps to improve sectarian harmony in Kurram Agency and addressing issues of poverty in the area.