TIMERGARA, Jan 27: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has urged all political parties, including Jamaat-i-Islami, to attend the proposed all parties conference for devising a joint strategy for restoration of peace in the region.

Speaking at a party gathering at Malikabad here on Sunday, he said that the APC was meant for ending bloodshed and not for upcoming general election. “We will also try to convince the JI on attending this conference as all other parties have accepted our invitation,” the minister said.

The Awami National Party, Lower Dir, had organised the gathering, which was also addressed by Senator Zahid Khan, district president Hussain Shah Yousufzai, Zahir Shah Khan and Mohammad Ayub. On this occasion, several prominent figures of Malikabad, Khaima, Jabagai, Shamshi Khan, Anderay and Dherai, including Malik Sajjad Ahmad, Malik Rahman Mulk, Malik Salman Khan and Mohammad Israr, announced to join the ANP.

The information minister said that 750 workers and leaders of the ANP had sacrificed their lives during the ongoing wave of terrorism. He said that the ANP was a representative political party of Pakhtuns, but unfortunately the people were not united.

About negotiations with Taliban, he said that the bloodshed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rest of the country must end now.

“After the killing of Bashir Ahmad Bilour the party has decided to strike a deal with Taliban for which all political parties in and outside parliament will be taken on board,” he said. The minister said that following a consensus the matter would be discussed with the president of Pakistan and chief of army staff for further development.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Zahid said that over Rs1 billion was being spent on supply of gas to Lower Dir, while Rs1.5 billion would be spent on construction of grid station at Thana. —Correspondent