MNA from Bajaur hails Swat peace accord

* Shaukatullah says use of force cannot resolve disputes

Staff Report

KHAR: Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Bajaur Agency Engineer Shaukatullah Khan on Saturday welcomed the Swat peace accord signed between the government and the local Taliban, a press release said.

He expressed the hope that the agreement would help in restoring peace in the province, the press release said, adding that the peace agreement was a positive step towards the restoration of complete peace not only in the Swat region but also in the province.

Force: The MNA said that the use of force could not resolve disputes and that dialogue was the only solution to problems. He said that if the government tried to use force in any tribal area, including the Bajaur Agency, he would strongly oppose and resist it. Khan said that agreements such as the Swat peace accord were imperative for the restoration of peace in the province. He said that the local Taliban were sincere Pakistani citizens and that the government should treat them with respect.

Meanwhile, a 10-member Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation from the Bajaur Agency called on NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and informed him about the agency problems. The delegation members demanded a 132-kv grid station, the construction of six bridges, the abolition of taxes on national identity cards, the establishment of engineering and cadet colleges and an autonomous tribal council for the agency.

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