ISLAMABAD, Oct 27: NWFP’s caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk has said that no negotiations will be held with those who are resisting the government’s efforts to restore peace in Swat.

Speaking at a news conference at the Frontier House here on Saturday, he said that restoring peace in Swat was not only “our legal and constitutional right, but also our legal and constitutional responsibility.”

Mr Mulk did not rule out the involvement of foreign hands in the deteriorating law and order situation in the area.

In reply to a question as to why peace talks were not offered to militant cleric Maulana Fazlullah under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), he replied: “How can I negotiate with the people who are Pakistanis but don’t want to live under the Constitution.” “They (the militants) have to be held accountable for what they do to people.”

Mr Mulk said the paramilitary forces did not follow anyone or searched houses, but would certainly take action against those who resisted their efforts for ensuring peace.

The people of Swat, through their elders, had appealed to the government to restore peace, he said, adding it was “my duty to ensure peace in the area because the people are with me.”

He said that he was not a ‘slave labourer’ and no one could use him, but bringing order to Swat was in the interest of the country.

He did not give details of the military operation in Swat, including its targets and timeframe, but was hopeful the situation would improve before the elections.

When he was asked why the MMA government in the NWFP did not take any action against Fazlullah and allowed him to grow in stature, he said: “I am not responsible for what happened yesterday. I am responsible for today and for tomorrow.”

He said he would meet jirga elders from Upper and Lower Dir, Malakand, Shangla and Bunir next week.

He reiterated many times during the news conference that the Jirga from Swat had urged him to take action against militants.