PESHAWAR, Jan 20: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Tuesday renewed negotiations offer to the militants in troubled Swat Valley and invited religious parties to play their role for lasting peace in the violence-hit province.

He made this offer on the eve of 21st death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a torch bearer of non violence movement in the subcontinent.

Talking to journalists at the NWFP Assembly after attending a ceremony in connection with the death anniversaries of late Abdul Ghaffar Khan and late Khan Abdul Wali Khan, the chief minister said that his government was ready for meaningful dialogue with the Taliban fighting in Swat and other parts of the province.

“I once again offer Taliban to come to the negotiation table and this can be last chance for dialogue,” said Mr Hoti. He said that Taliban should accept this offer to restore durable peace in the province. MPAs and Speaker Kiramatullah Khan Chaghermati attended the ceremony.

He said that militants should not threaten the government and review their attitude. He, however, said that government would continue action against non state elements and would utilise all resources to eliminate lawlessness from the province.

The chief minister also stressed religious parties to play their role in the restoration of peace.

Meanwhile, in a message released in connection with the death anniversaries of the two leaders, Mr Hoti said that long lasting peace was vital for the progress and development of this region. “Terrorism and violence are not in favour of any segment of the society and only solution to all the problems lies in peaceful political struggle,” he added.

The chief minister said that it was need of the hour that they should pay heed to providing books and pens to their children so that they had better future in the comity of nations.

Mr Hoti said that they had assumed power in the province after great thought for the purpose of striving for peace and despite all opposition on national and international level they had entered into peace deals.

He regretted that their efforts for peace were considered their weakness by their opponents, but still they believe that peace was the only solution to the problems faced by the country and the province.