October 20, 2008	Monday	Shawwal 20, 1429

PESHAWAR, Oct 19: The US Congress will give go ahead to the plan of setting up of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in NWFP and Fata as part of its cooperation with Pakistan for improving law and order situation as well as to strengthen the economy.

This was stated by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher in his separate meetings with Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani here on Sunday.

The envoy discussed matters of mutual interest especially in the backdrop of the regional developments and exchanged views on increasing militancy in the area.

The US diplomat said that his country would fully assist Pakistan government for attaining regional peace, said a handout issued by the Frontier House.

The US Congress, he said, would shortly be legislating aiming to establish ROZs in Fata and NWFP, it added.

On the occasion, the chief minister counted measures being taken for curbing militancy. ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak was also present in the meeting, the handout said.

The chief minister on the occasion told the envoy that the government being the defender of the lives and property of the people would spare no effort to stop militancy and promote peaceful atmosphere for the people. The government accords priority to uplift of education, employment and provision of other social services because this can help do away with militancy, he added.

The US Principal Officer in Peshawar Consulate, Nancy Tracy, also attended the meeting.

Later, the envoy met the governor, who informed the guest about government’s strategy, especially trend of raising lashkars against militants by the local residents, said a handout issued by the Governor House on Sunday.

The lashkars, the governor told the US official had successfully countered Taliban. The lashkars, he said had also supported government’s actions against terrorists. In fact, Owais Ghani added, the battle against such terrorists could never be won without public support, soundly behind the government.

The governor said that the recent statements by the coalition partners in favour of political dialogue for the resolution of turmoil in Afghanistan were welcoming and Pakistan fully supported these initiatives.

It was agreed that socio-economic development of the province including Fata was a priority and expectations of the people needed to be met in this respect. In this connection, the governor stated promotion of education and development of agricultural sector were the top-most priority of the government.