May 14, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429

PESHAWAR, May 13: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that the provincial government will take along all the allied partners for development of the province, adding that both the parties would keep the alliance intact.

“We joined hands to face the challenges of insecurity, law and order, price-hike and other key issues. It was the decision of both the parties based on wisdom and reconciliation,” Hoti told a 52-member delegation from Upper Dir led by Syed Anwar Khan and Mian Iftikhar, who called on the chief minister at his office on Tuesday.

Mr Hoti said it was the responsibility of both the Awami National Party and Pakistan People’s Party to abide by the principles of the alliance.

Referring to the release of Maulana Sufi Mohammad, the chief minister said his release was aimed at bringing back peace to the troubled Swat and Malakand areas, where the situation was improving now.

About the upcoming budget, Hoti expressed the hope that the people of the province would feel a visible change after the announcement of the budget with regard to their basic amenities of life and developmental activities.

The chief minister listened to the problems of the delegation and said their proposals will be considered for the collective wellbeing of the people of Upper Dir. The chief minister also agreed with the proposal of the delegation for giving priority to women for administration posts in girls’ schools.

Meanwhile, the chief minister in a handout issued here on Tuesday said that his government would spare no effort to preserve cultural heritage and historic buildings in the province.

The chief minister met Yasmin Lari, chairperson of Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, and discussed the plans for the preservation of old Peshawar city and other monuments in the province. Mr Hoti termed the historic buildings and heritage a precious asset of the nation and said that his government would fulfil its responsibility in this regard, the handout said.

The chief minister said that the entire region, particularly Peshawar, was rich in cultural heritage and his government would not only try to preserve these historic places but also convert these places into tourist spots. He also asked Yasmin Lari and Farida Nishtar to give their recommendations in this regard.