MANSEHRA/ KHAR, Feb 13: Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and elders of Mamond tribe of Bajaur Agency have urged the government to immediately start talks with Taliban for restoration of peace in the region.

“We strongly support meaningful dialogue with Taliban as ongoing military operation is not the right tool to address the issue of militancy and restore peace in the country,” said Mr Sherpao while speaking to media persons in Parhana area of Mansehra the other day.

The QWP chief had gone to Parhana to condole the death of mother of a local party leader, Mohammad Ibrar. He suggested the Taliban leaders to show seriousness in the dialogue process.

“Desired result could not be achieved until both the government and Taliban show seriousness in the dialogues process,” Mr Sherpao said and advised both the parties to show flexibility.

He observed that the new KP governor was appointed from tribal areas for the sake of establishing peace in the region, which was an encouraging sign. However, he said that if the new governor was appointed for rigging upcoming elections then they would resist his every move.

Mr Sherpao urged the government to immediately announce the election schedule, as neither people nor political parties would tolerate postponement of general election.

He said that the provincial government was making fresh appointments and announcing new development projects despite ban on them. He said that his party would field candidates in Hazara division, and announced that Mr Ibrar would contest election on his party ticket from PK-57.

In Khar, the elders of Mamond tribe of Bajaur Agency have urged the government to hold talks with Taliban to restore durable peace in tribal areas.

Talking to reporters here the other day, elders of Mamond tribe, including Malik Abdul Aziz, Malik Shah Tar Khan and Malik Mohammad Ayaz, welcomed the offer of talks by Taliban. They asked the government to avail of the chance and take serious steps for making the peace talks successful.

They said that negotiations with Taliban was need of the time and the government should immediately give positive response to the talks offer, as dialogue could present a durable solution to the conflict.

The elders said that peace and writ of the government were both crucial to sustained development of tribal areas. They also demanded of the government to launch big development projects in the region and announce special package for the militancy-hit areas of the agency.