BATKHELA, Sept 6: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minster Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that they are ready to hold negotiation with militants if they lay down arms and accept the writ of the government.

Addressing a public meeting of Awami National Party here on Thursday, he said that they were ready to accept militants as their brothers if they laid down arms and surrendered to the government.

“But, we ready to fight till logical end with those, who consider our policy of reconciliation as our weakness,” he added.

Provincial Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour, Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, ANP provincial president Senator Afrasiab Khattak and other leaders of the party were also present on the occasion.

Mr Hoti said that those challenging the government writ and targeting innocent people should understand that they would not bow down to their threats.

“We can’t close our eyes to the ongoing acts of militancy and violence in Malakand division,” the chief minister said. He added that like past rulers they too could ignore such activities to enjoy perks and privileges but they decided to stand by the nation and armed forces of the country and rid the country of militants.

Mr Hoti said that his government had taken back guns from the hands of children and handed over pens to them. He said that eight universities and 50 colleges were established in the province to impart education to Pakhtun children.

The chief minister said that Rs1 billion were allocated to provide laptops to position holders and intelligent students of the province.

ANP district president Shoaib Khan in his welcome address informed the chief minister about the problems being faced by the party workers and people of the area. He demanded early resolution of the problems of the area.

On the occasion, Pakistan People’s Party activists Parhezgar Khan of Batkhela and Mohammad Ayub of Thana along with their relatives and supporters announced to join ANP.