NWFP Govt to present peace plan in assembly
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—A comprehensive plan would be putforth in the provincial assembly of NWFP by mid May to ensure durable peace and reconciliatory atmosphere in the province, Awami National Party (ANP) President Afrasiab Khattak said.
Talking to newsmen, he said before adoption, the peace plan would be thoroughly debated in media and in public. ANP is determined to resolve the issues through peace Jirgas.Referring to statement of Maulana Fazalullah he said anybody not prepared to negotiate would isolate themself from the mainstream.
Welcoming the announcement of militant Baitullah Mehsud in which he has ordered halting violence he said it will have a positive impact in the whole province. They have renounced violence.Talks would be held with them to ensure peace in the whole country. Responding to a question he said ANP will never hold talks with foreign militants.
An eight-member US delegation, headed by Henrietta H. Fore called on the NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani here at Governor’s House on Thursday. The delegation, comprising Peter Bodde, Trent Thompson, Mark S. Ward. Ms. Anne Aarnes, Edward Birgells, Richard J. Adams and Ms. Lynne Tracy remained with the Governor for some time and discussed matters of common interest. They particularly discussed the US development assistance to FATA.
The Governor informed the delegation about the development initiatives taken by the Govt. of Pakistan for the socio-economic uplift and well-being of the people of FATA. He said that the govt. had prepared a comprehensive and a well thought out development strategy for the tribal areas, in which almost all the social and economic sectors were being given equal and balanced attention.
Highlighting the govt. priorities in this regard, the Governor said that besides health and education, sectors like mineral, Agriculture and water were also being focused.
This ambitious development strategy, he added would certainly change the fate of FATA and its people and brings these areas to the main stream of development. Henrietta H. Fore appreciated the Pakistan govt. development endeavors in FATA and wished to continue support and collaboration by USAID in these efforts.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik on Thursday hailed the decision by local Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud to declare ceasefire and stop confrontation activities. Talking to media here at the National Database Registration Authority headquarter, he said the government “is committed to ensuring peace in tribal and other troubled areas.”
“Tribal people are our brothers and government will take all possible measures for their uplift and development of their areas,” he said. Rehman Malik said the government will remove the sense of deprivation of people in Balochistan and other provinces.
“People of all provinces will be treated without any discrimination and they will be provided equal rights,” the Advisor said. Answering a question Rehman Malik said the government has no intention to withdraw cases against Maulan Abdul Aziz, former Khateeb of Lal Masjid and seminary students.
“However, if some one is proved innocent the government will compensate,” he added. About assassination of Benazir Bhutto, he reiterated the stand for a probe by the United Nations.
Asked about alleged involvement of Baitullah Mehsud in the killing of Benazir Bhutto, the Advisor referred to news reports that Baitullah Mehsud had denied the claim. He said a thorough investigation will be conducted into the Liaquat Bagh tragedy and those responsible will be brought to justice.
To a question about foreign Ulema and students of seminaries, he said their list is being prepared and the government has not yet decided about their fate. Earlier, Chairman NADRA Brig ® Saleem Moeen briefed the Advisor about the functioning of the organization and its different projects.