PESHAWAR: All educational institutions in the NWFP will reopen on Monday, according to provincial Information Minister Mian Ifthikhar Hussain.

The decision was based on reports submitted by the additional home secretary and commissioners of all districts, the minister told a press conference.

Educational institutions run by the Federal Board in Peshawar and other districts were reopened on Oct 26, but the NWFP government had extended the school closure for one week because of security concerns.

Mr Iftikhar said the government would ensure security at all costs. He said the country was facing serious security risks and it would take time to finish the anti-terror war.

'The anti-terror war will not be over in a few days. It will take time. We simply cannot keep schools closed indefinitely,' he said. 'The NWFP government had no intention to close schools. It just followed Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan governments,' he said.