NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said that he along with Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman tried to bring an end the Lal Masjid stand-off and resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue and Jirga. It was our effort, resulted into the coming out of 1,400 students from the seminary.
He was talking to the media men after the Cabinet meeting at his office on Monday. He said even on Monday a delegation of MMA is going to meet the Prime Minister at his office to convince him for finding out a negotiated solution of the Lal Masjid issue. He said we want to stop a possible bane and there would be a solution if negotiations get a chance.
To a question, the chief minister said that he can not say any thing at this moment about the reaction of the Lal Masjid incident in Frontier province. However, he strongly condemned killing of Chinese in Peshawar saying that it seems to be a planned conspiracy to weaken Sino-Pak relations.
He expressed the hope that the investigation carried out by the law enforcing agencies would unveil the hidden hands responsible for the cowardice act. The investigation would determine the real culprits and the culprits would soon be brought to justice, he assured. He said such planned conspiracy would not weaken the existing ties between Pakistan and China. The chief minister said the government has planned the formation of peace committees from district to grass root level.
Chief Minister said his government agreed the federal government to sanction a comprehensive package for improved operational policing in the province. The police force was also being equipped. The numerical strength of police force, he said was being enhanced and there would be additional 15,000 police personnel in the force. The total package would cost Rs 4 billion and 300 million. He appreciated the federal government for conceded to the longstanding demand of the province. He said that it was the MMA government that pleaded the case of the province prudently.
He also appreciated the induction of Balochis in the Frontier constabulary and Frontier Corps. He said that 31 of the 46 platoons ordered for re-enforcement in Frontier province had already arrived back in the province. The rest would also arrive shortly.
Responding a question, the chief minister said that posts of three regional co-ordinators have been sanctioned and they would be posted soon adding that the new mechanism would lead to better co-ordination and liaison between the tribal and settled areas and there would be better law and order situation.
The chief minister said that the cabinet agreed to efficient intelligence sharing to bust nefarious designs of the anti-state elements. He said that we think negotiation is the best option for winning peace and his government would give negotiation a chance for durable peace in the province.