January 12, 2009	Monday	Muharram 14, 1430

ALPURI, Jan 11: The provincial president of PML and MNA Engineer Amir Muqam has called upon the federal government to enforce Sharia laws in Malakand region as it was in accordance with the ‘aspiration’ of the people.

Mr Muqam held the coalition government of PPP, ANP and JUI-F responsible for the non-enforcement of shariah in Malakand stating that the masses would never forgive them.Addressing a public meeting at Mera Besham on the occasion of joining of the PML by scores of ANP activists on Sunday, he hailed the eight-year rule of Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf and claimed that his rule was that of development and progress in the country whereas the present rulers had ‘ruined’ the country within few months of assuming power.

About the possibility of alliance between different factions of Pakistan Muslim League, Mr Muqam stated that no alliance would be possible without the consent and inclusion of Chaudhry brothers. “Negotiations with other parties are part of politics and we are ready to talk with others while maintaining our separate identity,” he added.

“While Swat valley is burning the rulers have been engaged in posting and transfers of their blue-eyed officials,” said Mr Muqam adding that the present government had not been considering Swat as part of Pakistan. Innocent people, he said, had been killed in Swat and the magnitude of oppression there was even larger than what was going on in Gaza.

He said that a large number of people were quitting ruling ANP and joining PML, which proved that the people were disenchanted with the policies of the government.

Mr Muqam, who is also a former federal minister, regretted that Pervez Musharraf had launched different development projects in Shangla as well as other parts of Malakand region, but the present government had completely ignored these backward areas.The meeting was also addressed by MPA Zahir Shah, former federal minister Alamzeb Khan, Gul Badshah Khan and Haji Gul Bagh Khan.