MANSEHRA, July 23: Ultimatum and threats by Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud would never affect the government’s resolve to establish its writ in the restive areas of the province, said NWFP Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour.

He was talking to journalists after the inaugural ceremony of Tanda Bajna road at the residence of Tehsil nazim Mansehra Khuram Hanif Khan on Wednesday.

Provincial ministers Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Nimroz Khan, former minister Shahzada Gustasip, district nazim Sardar Mohammad Yousaf and district naib nazim Attiquer Rehman Jahangery were also present on the occasion.

Mr Blour said that provincial government opted for holding talks with Taliban but they considered the peace efforts as weakness. “I want to make it clear if Taliban do not withdraw their threat, we will never negotiate with them as our prime objective is to bring peace and harmony in the restive areas of the province and establish the writ of the government at any cost,” he added.

To a question, he said that expiry of Mehsud’s deadline would not put any pressure on them but it was unfortunate that federal government did not even issue a statement against Taliban threat.

He alleged that former MMA government was directly responsible for the law and order situation in the province as they gave Taliban free hand and did not launch any operation against them. “Maulana Fazaullah got the control of Swat in the MMA government but they did not take any step to curb his activities ultimately he confronted the government and challenged the writ,” he added.

He appealed to the people of the province to help the government to root out militancy and Talibanisation. “Militancy is a stigma for the society, which affects progress and prosperity of the province,” he remarked.

Mr Blour said that local bodies system would not be abolished in the province rather it would be amended. The previous magistracy system would be restored as currently neither district nazim nor the district coordinator officer was taking the responsibility of the deteriorating law and order situation, he said.

He said that Punjab government would provide 6,000 tons of flour daily to NWFP, which would over come the flour crisis in the province.