MARDAN, Feb 9: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Saturday urged political parties to get together for finding a permanent solution to terrorism.

He said this during a meeting with representatives of media organisations after opening a swimming pool at Mardan Sports Complex and inaugurating work on Sarhadi Lutheran Church destroyed by a mob in Sept last year.

The chief minister said Awami National Party was only hosting All Parties Conference on how to counter terrorism and in fact, it was APC of the country’s all political parties.

He said terrorism had adversely affected the entire country and therefore, his party had decided to push leadership of all political parties to sit together for finding a permanent solution to it.

Mr Hoti said there was no need to dissolve the Election Commission.

He said unfortunately, some elements were trying to make the Election Commission controversial though it was not in the interest of the country and democracy. Earlier, he told participants of the inaugural ceremony of work on Sarhadi Lutheran Church that reconstruction and renovation of the church would cost Rs36.643 and would be completed within 24 months.

He said the church attack was carried out by miscreants to spread hatred among Christians against Muslims but positive and sympathetic response of local Muslim residents towards Christian community foiled the attempt.

Mr Hoti said the sacred places of both Christians and Muslims were targeted by miscreants, who were therefore their joint enemy. He, however, said the government was committed to protecting lives and properties of religious minorities considering them integral part of Pakistan.

The chief minister also inaugurated a Rs40.87 million modern swimming pool at Mardan Sports Complex.