Haider Hotti offers talks to militants

Peshawar , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti Monday renewed his governments offer of talks to militants but said they should first shun violence and lay arms.

He announced that every year July 25 will be observed as Day of Martyrs across the province. We will observe the day to pay our homage to all those who sacrificed their lives in the recent wave of militancy,he said. The chief minister also announced to establish a government college in Akbar Pura area named after Mian Rashid Hussain. He also announced to establish a campus of Abdul Wali Khan University in Nowshera. On the occasion of first death anniversary of Rashid Hussain, son of provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, who was killed by militants las year. We held negotiation and did agreements with utmost sincerity and despite the criticism from across the world. But people saw who violated the agreement and expanded their influence to Buner and other areas,Haider Hoti said while addressing a gathering here at Nishtar Hall.

The gathering organised by Awami National Party (ANP) in connection with the first death anniversary of Mian Rashid Hussain, the lone son of Mian Iftikhar Hussain provincial minister for information. Central and provincial leaders of the party, senators, members of national and provincial assemblies, lawyers, educationists, doctors and large number of party workers attended the gathering. The Chief Minister said,A price has been paid and further sacrifices will be rendered to bring the country back on path of progress and development and to make it a peaceful land where everyone enjoy freedom Showering praise on Mian Iftikhar, Haider Hoti said,We salute to the gallantry and the patience demonstrated by him,adding that, it was the honour of the followers of Bacha Khan to exhibit such a character. The sacrifice rendered by Rashid Hussain and hundreds of Pukhtuns will be remembered in the history ! forever as they give in their lives to save the country from the forces of darkness and retrogression. The government, he said had also allocated Rs 10.2 million for the monument of Rashid Hussain. Work has already been started and will be completed in his stipulated time.