PESHAWAR, March 16: Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour here on Friday claimed that terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had declined by 40 per cent due to government efforts, but, he said, the situation was still precarious.

He added that the region had suffered a lot in the three decades of war imposed by others.

He was speaking at a function arranged by South Asian Free Media Association in Peshawar Press Club on Friday in connection with launching of its report pertaining to different issues faced by journalists in the country.

Mr Bilour said that media had played a vital role for peace and elimination of terrorism.

He said that terrorists were using different tactics to target journalists and common people.

He reiterated that the government would continue fight against terrorism. “We have fought undeclared third world war in this region,” he said. The minister said that common people, especially ANP activists, had paid sacrifices in fight against terrorism.

He said that the government had tried to resolve issues through dialogue, but the terrorists' intention wasn't for bringing peace. He said that peaceful Afghanistan was vital to lasting calm in this region, particularly in the KP and Fata.

Other speakers at the function expressed grave concern over the insecurity of media persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas and urged the government and owners of media outlets to take appropriate measures for their protection.

Besides Mr Bilour, who was the chief guest on the occasion, Safma KP president Shamim Shahid, local press club president Saiful Islam Saifi, Khyber Union of Journalists president Arshad Aziz Malik, civil society member Idress Kamal and others also spoke on the occasion.

They said that journalists had been facing life threats while performing duties in the province and Fata. The participants acknowledged that journalists had rendered sacrifices for establishment of peace in the region and suggested that dialogue was the only solution to ending militancy and insurgency in this part of the region.

Mr Shahid said that over 17 journalists had fallen prey to terrorism throughout the world, of which 10 casualties were in this region. He said that the media persons were facing severe hardships while performing their duties.

Idrees Kamal said that people belonging to media groups and civil society in particular should support the government in the fight against militancy to restore peace in the country.

Mr Saifi urged the media people to remain careful concerning their professional assignments and routine duties, particularly in the field. Arshad Aziz said that journalists were in dire need of life and health insurance, and the media owners should take steps to protect their interests.