Public meeting: ANP makes grand claims

K-P CM said that the government was willing to open dialogue with militants in Malakand.

UPPER DIR: Speaking at a public meeting at Dir stadium, K-P Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that it is essential to establish peace in the region.

He said that the government was willing to open dialogue with militants in Malakand, even though it has been opposed. He said they were ready to find mutual grounds with militants, but only if they shun violence.  He lamented that local and foreign forces were trying to destabilise the region. Assuring people that peace would be restored, he further said that the armed forces had rendered many sacrifices for the country and the fight against militancy was not over yet. He said the provincial government would take measures to improve education and health in K-P as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2012.