NWFP Minister for Information and Public Relations, Mian Iftikhar Hussain has assured the victims of Malakand Division that the days of terrorists are numbered and the victims will soon be returned to their homes peacefully. He said that the government announced bounty for the leadership of terrorists and they would never succeed to escape.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of "Play for Peace Sports Festival" held at Sheikh Yasin IDPs Camp Mardan Thursday night. The ceremony was also addressed by Senior Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour and Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah.
Iftikhar said the government struggled extremely hard to bring peace in Malakand Division especially Swat district and agreed in principle with all the demands of extremists, avoiding all pressure of national and international communities. However, the militants did not disarm themselves and tried to expand their illegal activities to other areas.
Mian Iftikhar said that they are democratic people and believed in resolving all the issues through dialogue rather than bullet. However, due to constitutional and legal obligations, the government was compelled to take action for the establishment of writ of the government.
The Information Minister appreciated the role of Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah for conducting the festival in the hour of extreme stress for the IDPs. He also lauded the role of Dubai Islamic Bank. During the festival, the team of District Dir won volleyball; Bajaur Agency cricket while the team of IDPs from Swat won the football match.
Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Syed Aqil Shah gave away trophies and prizes to the winners. Meanwhile, sports minister Syed Aqil Shah assured the IDPs that their youngsters must be engaged in positive and healthy activities and for this purpose stadiums would be established in Malakand Division. He said that the participatory zeal of IDPs children in the sports gala impressed him. He assured the IDPs that the government would leave no stone unturned for providing sports facilities in their home districts.