PESHAWAR, March 2: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Salim Saifullah Khan on Friday asked the NWFP government not to waste its energies on renaming the province after ignoring the real issues confronting its people.

Talking to MPAs and workers of the Pakistan Muslim League at his residence here, the minister said if consensus was not reached on renaming the province, a referendum on the issue could be held.

He claimed that the provincial government was trying to divert attention of the people from real problems by focusing on renaming the province.

He urged the provincial government to take steps for improving law and order in the province. He said a multi-party conference on the issue would be held the end of the month.—APP