Posted on 04/01/2008 2:09:01 PM PDT by milestogo
NWFP Assembly condemns US
SAID ALAM KHAN and MOHAMMAD ASHFAQ
PESHAWAR - Through a unanimous resolution, the NWFP Assembly on Tuesday strongly condemned the statement of CIA Director Michael Hayden terming Pakistan’s tribal areas as direct threat to US, asked the federal government to take serious notice of the statement of US official.
The resolution also added that all the matters should be resolved through holding meaningful talks. The ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain moved the jointly drafted resolution for which the speaker relaxed the rules with the consent of the House.
The PML-N Provincial Chief Pir Sabir Shah on a point of order diverted the attention of the House towards the statement issued by the CIA chief and termed it as direct threat to the country as well as interference and attack on sovereignty of their country.
He described that aggressions from any foreign country would not be tolerated. My countrymen, he said, had witnessed suicide attacks, bomb blasts and destruction only because of the dictatorial policies of the US in this region.
Ex-Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani seconded the resolution and expressing the same feelings, said that a joint resolution should be tabled to condemn the CIA chief’s statement unanimously.
Later, the parliamentary leaders of various Parties drafted the resolution and allowed the ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain to move it, and was unanimously passed through which they demanded of the Federal Government to take serious note of the statement issued by the CIA chief immediately as they considered it as an interference in the affairs of an independent country.
The newly elected NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti has said that top most priority of his Government was to expedite efforts to restore peace in the Province, as there was no scope of further ‘destruction’.
“No one can deny Jirga’s importance particularly in Pakhtuns’ society. Thus, the Provincial Assembly will play its role as Jirga to restore peace in the Province. The use of force is always the last option but unfortunately during the last several years, the rulers used it as first option, which deteriorated the situation further, Amir Haider Hoti said this in his first speech on the floor of the House after being elected unopposed here on Tuesday.
Mr Hoti was unanimously elected as leader of the House when the MPAs present on the occasion stood up to support him after the Speaker sought their consent for the office of the Chief Minister. Out of the total of ll6 Members in the l24 Member House, ll3 were present at the time of voting. Three Members were absent during counting to elect new Chief Executive of the Province.
Amidst thumping of desks, Amir Haider Hoti thanked all Members for his unanimous election as leader of the House. He said that he could not find words to appreciate their historic decision in the existing sensitive situation. By doing this, he said, they had given a different message to others that they were united for the solution of the problems being faced by their people.
He remarked that they were neither terrorists nor want suicide waistcoats. But they actually want peace, brotherhood and prosperity. In the same breath, he stressed that “we do not want guns, cartridges for our children but we want education and better future for our coming generation; no further destruction but only peace”.
This is a clear-cut message of our jirga, which we want to convey to everyone, the 37 year old Chief Minister, Haider Hoti asserted, adding “we will hold negotiations with all the forces but will not compromise on security. This is the responsibility of the Government to ensure security and protection of life, property and honour of all without any discrimination, for which we have pledged.”
He said that his Government would take all on board to collectively fight for getting provincial rights. “My Government without getting these rights may not serve the nation in a better way,” he said. He expressed grave concern over the worst law and order situation, existing condition of health, education, unemployment, price hike, and dwindling foreign and local investment in industries. He said his Government would overcome these problems with the cooperation of the elected Members.
Waziristan tribal Bump
sounds like the “locals” are feeling the heat
Good!
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