PESHAWAR, May 1 A 100-member jirga from Swat supporting the government in curbing militancy has suggested strict action against those violating the peace agreement, saying there is no justification for taking up arms after implementation of the Nizam-i-Adl Regualtion (NAR).

The Jirga visited Peshawar and called on senior leader of Awami National Party (ANP) Afzal Khan Lala here on Friday. The delegation led by the District Nazim Swat Jamal Nasir Khan also included nazims of different union councils Sher Afzal Khan, Saifullah Khan, Khurshid Khan, PPP Sherpao president Sher Shah Khan, Mustajab Khan and president Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) NWFP Mukhtiar Yousazai, Khurshid Kaka Jee, Malik Ahmed, Salahuddin, Abdul Jabbar Khan, tehsil nazim Matta, Sher Afzal Khan, and Farhan Khan of Pakistan Muslim League-Q.

The participants said that NAR had already been implemented in Swat, now the Darul Qaza was being established and qazis were also being appointed.

In such a situation, no one, they said, had the right to pick up arms and target the government installation anywhere in Malakand Division. They suggested that government should deal with all those elements with an iron hand who were bent upon creating unrest in the region and had the intention to sabotage the peace efforts being made by the government. They said the government was justified in taking action against such elements.

Talking to the delegation, Afzal Khan Lala said that it was the responsibility of the people of Swat to strengthen the hands of the government in implementation of NAR in Swat and Pakhtuns should get united and work for restoration of long lasting peace in the region.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, NWFP Minister for Minerals and Technical Education Mehmoodzeb, Lawyers Leader Lateef Afridi, and people from different walks of life called on Afzal Kan Lala at officers mess Peshawar, which had recently been shifted to Peshawar from Swat. - APP

Our correspondent from Nowshera adds Veteran nationalist leader Afzal Khan Lala called on Pashto poet, scholar and nationalist politician Ajmal Khattak and inquired after his health.

Afzal Khan Lala, who survived a number of attacks during the Swat turmoil and lost many relatives to militancy, shared light moments with Mr Khattak, who is bed-ridden for some time. “I came to Peshawar for my own checkup and had I not come to see you, it would have been a wish unfulfilled,” Afzal Khan Lala told Ajmal Khattak.

Sources said that the veteran nationalist from Swat valley reached Khattak's residence in Nowshera after Friday prayers and spent sometime with him.

They said that he had come only to inquire after the health of the elderly Khattak.