PESHAWAR, April 19: Senator Salim Saifullah Khan has urged the government to halt ongoing operations in Waziristan and Balochistan and said that political solutions to the problems should be sought through talks.

He was speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday.

The ruling PML leader said that he could not understand why the government was reluctant to hold talks with tribesmen in Waziristan or the Baloch leaders when it was already engaged in peace dialogue with India.

Terming end to army operations vital for restoring peace in the regional, he said that it was equally important for the country to have cordial relations with Afghanistan, adding that it was important to normalize the situation in tribal areas.

He said that the federal government should introduce local government system in Federally-Administered Tribal Areas besides reforming the Frontier Crimes Regulations.

Senator Saifullah said that the province should be renamed as Pukhtoonistan, adding that he had been supporting the idea for long and political parties should form a consensus on the issue.

Referring to the upcoming PML convention in Peshawar, the senator said major developmental packages were likely to be announced during the convention, adding that major development projects would help reduce poverty, create job opportunities and provide basic facilities to people.

Mr Saifullah said that the main aim of the convention was to create better coordination among the party leaders and workers besides preparing them for the next general elections.

Referring to the law and order situation in the province for the convention, he said it was the responsibility of the NWFP government to maintain peace in the city, adding that the overall security situation in the province was not good.