PESHAWAR, Nov 2: Underlining that restoration of peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) is the government's top priority, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Masood Kausar on Wednesday urged militants to lay down arms and join political struggle for the sought-after societal change.

“Pakistan is an Islamic democratic state where change can be brought about through democratic means and elected parliament. Whosoever wishes so should go for democratic mode not undemocratic means,” he told a delegation of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), Khyber Agency during a meeting here at the Governor's House.

The delegates led by JUI leaders Said Kabir Khan and Shamsuddin Afridi appreciated extension of the Political Parties Order-2002 to Fata and amendments to Frontier Crimes Regulation, saying the people of the tribal region are thankful to President Asif Zardari for fulfilling their two major demands. They said amendments to FCR would help bring tribal areas to the country's political mainstream.

The delegation condemned militancy and religious extremism and said the people of Fata would support the government in restoration of peace and furthering development process. They highlighted certain problems mostly related to education, health, water supply, communication and other sectors and sought for governor's intervention in resolving the highlighted issues.

The governor said the country's current delicate security situation demanded national consensus among political parties on solution to major issues and challenges, adding that the government would continue following the policy of reconciliation.“Frequent takeovers by autocratic regimes has derailed democratic process and confronted the country and the nation with many challenges and problems, which need to be resolved through consensus,” he said.

Mr Kausar said the 1973 constitution was unanimously passed by parliament and despite many political ups and down in the country, it was still an agreed document.

About FCR, the governor said some basic changes had been made to it for the benefit of the common man in Fata and more would be incorporated in it in consultation with all stakeholders once the political parties system took root in the region.

He said implementation of the FCR changes was being properly monitored, while the political administration had been directed to submit implementation reports every month.

He further said the president had approved the Constitution of Fata Appellate Authorities and Fata Tribunal, which would come in force very soon.

Mr Kausar said Political Parties Order-2002 had been extended to Fata and it was up to political parties to promote peaceful political activities. He urged political parties to focus their attention on joint problems and issues instead of individual ones.

“We want to involve and take the people along in all matters pertaining to Fata, especially development process”, he said, adding that peace in Fata was originally linked to peace in Afghanistan and both the countries were in the better position to resolve the issues mutually.

The governor said anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan forces were backing anarchist and mischievous forces to fulfill their evil agendas but the people and political leadership of the country were united to thwart all such designs and plans.

He told the delegation that the relevant authorities and administration had been directed to look after internally displaced persons of Bara and that he would visit them to know about the situation which they were living in.

Mr Kausar asked clerics to motivate parents to administer polio drops to their children and save them from the lifelong physical disability and abnormality.

The governor said he had taken a notice of public complaints against staff of Fata hospitals and action against the culpable officials was being taken on his orders.

“Only the people committed to serving the people will be posted in Fata. Service to people is the only criteria for posting,” he said.