PESHAWAR, Oct 8: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday said his government would support Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan if he held dialogue with the leaders of banned militant outfits for peace.

Inaugurating the Islamic Banking Branch of Bank of Khyber in Islamabad, Mr Hoti said Mr Imran was a leader of a political party and since there was a democratic government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, every political party, including Mr Imran’s PTI, had complete freedom to carry out healthy political activities in the province.

He said the provincial government provided Mr Imran and participants of his peace march with complete security all the way to Tank, the district bordering South Waziristan Agency.

He said his government never stated political process was not the solution of militancy.

“We believe political process is the only solution to this problem by which we can ensure peace and protection of the country,” he said.

The chief minister said if militant outfits accepted the country’s law and the Constitution and gave up violence, there was no harm in holding dialogue with them.

He said employment opportunities in public sector were bleak and promotion of economic activities was essential for greater employment opportunities.

Mr Hoti said help should be extended to the private sector for growth.

He said the provincial government had undertaken several measures for the purpose and they included the start of Khud Rozgar Scheme and Hunermand Rozgar Scheme.

“These schemes are aimed at provision of interest-free loans purely on merit to unemployed and skilled youth in order to help them stand on their own two feet,” he said.

The chief minister said thousands of youths were benefiting from interest-free loans and 99 per cent return of loans under Khud Rozgar Scheme was its testimony.

He said 25,000 laptops would be distributed to intelligent students on merit under Niway Sahar Programe and Rs1 billion had been allocated for the purpose.

Mr Hoti said Rs3 billion and Rs1.3 billion had been allocated for Bacha Khan Khpal Rozgar Scheme and Hunarmand Rozgar Scheme respectively.

He said these schemes had been kept free from political influence and that was why, they had been a success.

The chief minister lauded performance of the bank regarding assets, deposits, loans and profit and congratulated the MD and his team.

He said the number of BoK branches increased to 70 in 2012 from over 30 in 2008. “Today the 70th branch of the bank has been inaugurated. The success of the bank is remarkable. It has prominent role in stability of economy of the province,” he said.

He assured all out support to bank’s administration.

The chief minister later opened an account in the bank.