September 14, 2008	Sunday	Ramazan 13, 1429

PESHAWAR, Sept 13: A jirga in Lower Dir, headed by Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad, has ‘convinced’ local militants to wind up their camps and leave the region following successful parleys.

The elite of Maidan area sought a three-day time from the jirga and formed a committee, which talked to the militants and convinced them to leave the area. The militants reportedly promised to cooperate with the jirga saying that they would never become part of sabotaging activities in the area. They also vacated a camp in Maidan.

“It is indeed a great success for the people of Lower and Upper Dir especially the Maidan dwellers,” NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti said in a statement issued here on Saturday. He commended the ‘sincere and collective’ efforts of the elders of the region as role model for other troubled districts and asked people to follow them.

Mr Hoti, while talking to Minister for Livestock Hidayatullah Khan, approved compensation amounts of Rs100,000 and Rs50,000 each respectively for the families of those killed and wounded in a grenade-and-gun attack on a mosque in Maskene area recently. “Even a huge monetary assistance cannot replace the precious lives of the innocent people lost in the attack. However, this little amount of compensation is actually a gesture of sympathy with the bereaved families on the part of the provincial government,” he said.

The chief minister directed the concerned officials to investigate the matter and take stern against the perpetrators of the gory incident. He called for early completion of the requirements to provide compensation to the heirs of the victims as soon as possible.

Chief Minister Hoti thanked the elders of Dir, saying that peace efforts were highly required to block the way of those who wanted to destabilise the province and create panic among the people for fulfilling their heinous designs.

He stressed upon the people of other areas to follow the people of Dir and strike unity among their ranks and cooperate with the law enforcing agencies in resolving the issue of law and order in the province. However, the chief minister offered the miscreants to lay down their arms.

“No action will be taken against those ready to stop their activities and lay down arms. They are our brothers if they are ready to surrender,” he said. Mr Hoti said that the killings of innocent people during prayers were the most despicable thing and an act of those who were against Islam’s vision of peace and solidarity. He directed the local authorities to investigate the matter and take strict action against those responsible. He directed best possible treatment to those who were injured. He also prayed for their early recovery.