TIMERGARA, Sept 10: Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Monday asked the people of Lower Dir to forge unity and thwart militant attacks from across the border. The minister was addressing a party workers’ convention at Timergara.

The ANP, Lower Dir chapter, had arranged the convention. The minister said peace could not be restored in the region until misunderstandings among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nato forces were removed. He stated that an undeclared third world war was being fought on the soil of Pakhtuns which could only be tackled if Pakhtuns forged unity in their ranks.

The ANP leader said frequent attacks from across the border were a challenge for the people of Lower Dir, adding the government was committed to striking back hard.

The minister said the government enforced Sharia in Malakand division on demand of the local people but militants sabotaged it and began to challenge writ of the government. “We had no option other than to conduct military offensive against them,” said the minister, adding now the militants had been seeking shelter in forests and mountains.

Mr Iftikhar said renaming the province, provincial autonomy, restoration of peace and getting due share in NFC award were the achievements of the ANP-led government in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. —Correspondent