KP Governor denies peace talks with militants

He said, “It has been consistent policy of the government that dialogue can be commenced with such elements who have surrendered to the writ of the government and are not involved in any criminal activity”.Commenting on the reports appeared in the media about peace initiatives in Bajaur Agency as claimed by a fugitive militant commander, the Governor said, “No one is above law and whosoever is involved in unlawful activities will have to go through the process of law”. He said that the local administration has been directed to welcome all those militants who surrender their arms and are not involved in criminal activities.The Governor added the said group had been uprooted from Bajaur Agency through a militant operation and talks with it were totally out of question. “If they lay down their arms and surrender to the government, even then they will be dealt with according to the law of the land,” he added.The Governor said that the government, the Security forces and the people of Bajaur Agency were united and had gained tremendous successes against militants in Bajaur Agency and elsewhere. “Peace has been restored in the Agency after many sacrifices and we are committed to maintain it at any cost so that the process of development activities can be accelerated”, he said.The Governor also refuted the claim that some members of the group had been released and said, “It may be their wishful thinking but not the truth.”