August 26, 2008	Tuesday	Sha'aban 23, 1429

PESHAWAR, Aug 25: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik has said that the government has banned Tahrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and would consider putting head money on top militant leaders.

He asked mediapersons not to portray militant leaders as heroes, rather help the government in presenting their actual face to the people.

Addressing a joint press conference here with NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani on Monday evening, Mr Malik said that military operation in Bajaur was successfully underway and would continue till the militants were flushed out of the agency.

To a question regarding 72-hour ultimatum to the warring tribes in Kurram Agency, he said that government kept its words and a mild operation was underway there.

The problem was created not by the local Shia and Sunni sects but by some foreign elements and the government was closely monitoring the security situation there, he added.

Mr Malik reiterated that the government would continue military operations in Fata including Bajaur Agency till the militants laid down arms and surrender, as the government's writ had to be maintained at any cost.

He said that the government would soon get control of the area and the displaced persons would go back to their homes.

“It was our collective problem and the whole nation would have to stand and fight against the militants,” he asserted, adding that D.I. Khan and Wah blasts were the worst examples of brutality and was not allowed by Islam.

To a question, Owais Ahmad Ghani said that the military had a dominating position in Bajur Agency.

The governor said that out of the 263,000 Internally Displaced Persons 16,000 had returned to Bajaur. He said that a total of 50,000 IDPs were in the relief camps set-up by the government. — APP