Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Awami National Party (ANP) nominee for the post of NWFP chief minister, has said restoration of public order, promoting peace and harmony in the province and securing provincial rights will be the top priority of the next elected government.
Talking to a delegation at his residence here on Saturday, the nominated chief minister said the biggest challenge to his government would be maintenance of law and order, putting an end to terrorist activities, besides effectively projecting the cause of the province with respect to provincial autonomy.
"I will take practical steps for achieving constitutional rights of the province", he told the delegates, who had come to congratulate him.
He said ANP believed in independent judiciary and central leaders of the ANP had taken a firm stance about the restoration of deposed judges. About Pak-Afghan relations, Amir Haider Khan Hoti said both were neighbours and their interest was the same. Peace in Afghanistan would have direct impact on the situation in Pakistan, especially in the NWFP, he added.
He said the problems of law and order would be resolved in accordance with Pakhtun's traditions and Jirgas. He strongly condemned ongoing wave of terrorism in Swat and tribal areas, and reiterated that unless there was peace in Afghanistan, no effort to restore peace in Pakistan could succeed.
About the induction of the ministers, Amir Hoti said no decision had so far been taken. The ANP and Pakistan Peoples Party leaders would sit together for the nomination of cabinet members, he added.
He said he would come up to the expectations of the parliamentary party that reposed confidence in him. MPAs-elect Ghani Dad Khan, Ahmed Bahadar, President of Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haji Muhammad Sultan Mohmand and Haji Hussain Ahmed were also present on the occasion.