PESHAWAR, April 1: NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti said on Tuesday his government would adopt peaceful means to restore peace in the violence-hit province. However, he asserted, peace could never be achieved at the cost of people’s life and property.

Speaking in the provincial assembly after his unanimous election as the chief minister, Mr Hoti said the support he had received from all the political parties proved the parties were united on the issue of the province’s rights.

Earlier, at least 113 MPAs gave their assent to him during an ascertainment of support in the house. Syed Zahir Ali Shah of the PPP arrived late in the house while Sikandar Hayat Sherpao of the PPP-S was absent.

Mr Hoti said that people were sick of violence; they wanted peace and prosperity in their towns and villages. “We do not want suicide-jackets, guns and bullets. We need lasting peace to bring prosperity, impart education to our children and provide jobs to unemployed youths. We will not make any compromise at the cost of our people’s life and property.”

Lawlessness, he said, had become the order of the day and collective efforts were needed to rid the province of this menace.

“We will seek people’s cooperation and trust through ordinary jirgas, but now this house is the appropriate forum to discuss issues concerning law and order.”

Mr Hoti said that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and many people in the province had sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy and progress. “We must not forget their sacrifices. It is our duty to serve the people.”

He said the province was facing severe security problems. “People have paid a huge price for the destruction wrought by internal and external elements. But now they would not make more unsung sacrifices.”

He said the provincial autonomy “without political, administrative and financial rights” held no meaning. Earlier, the house unanimously adopted a resolution demanding a halt to the growing American interference in the country’s affairs. It also condemned a statement by CIA chief Michael Hayden about militancy in Fata.

The resolution was moved by Mian Iftikhar Hussain of the ANP, along with Abdul Akbar Khan of the PPP, Pir Sabir Shah of the PML-N, Akram Durrani of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, Qalander Lodhi of the PML-Q and Pervez Khattak of the PPP-S.

Also on Tuesday, Mr Hoti was administered oath of office by Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani at the Governor’s House amid slogans of “Pakhtunkhwa and Jwanday Wali”.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Mr Hoti’s grandmother Begum Nasim Wali Khan, his father Mohammad Azam Khan Hoti, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt-Gen Masood Aslam, Commandant Frontier Corps Maj-Gen Mohammad Alam Khattak, federal ministers from the NWFP and provincial ministers-designate and senior officers attended the ceremony.

Mr Hoti is grandson of late ANP leader Khan Abdul Wali Khan. He is also grandson of Amir Haider Khan Hoti, a founding member of the party and close associate of late Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.