By IRNA
Islamabad : A Pakistani political leader told the visiting top US diplomat on Friday that the incoming government of North West frontier province will hold dialogue with the local militants to establish peace in the province.
The US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher held a meeting with the chief of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan in Islamabad and discussed current political situation in the country.
“I have made it clear to the American official that provincial government will adopt the path of the dialogue with the Pakistani militants but will not hold talks with the al-Qaeda linked foreign extremis,” Khan said.
Boucher arrived in Pakistan with Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte four days ago and both have held talks with the President Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and political leaders.
Islamic groups and media expressed reservations over the US diplomats’ visit at a time when Pakistan is in the process of government formation.
They said the US has sent top diplomats to Pakistan want to influence the policies of the new government.
Boucher and the ANP President discussed current political and the law & order situation in the tribal regions, also exchanged views on the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones and
reconstruction activities in the areas.
Khan stressed the United States to ensure implementation of development program in the tribal regions, the ANP spokesman Zahid Khan said.
Later talking to media, Richard Boucher said that the US would continue cooperation with the new government in Pakistan.
He said his government would work with the new government and would support Pakistan in a very broad way as they want long term with its people.
Khan said that he has made it clear to the US assistant secretary that without negotiating tribal elders and continued development activities peace could not be restored in tribal areas.
He said the new government would install dialogue with the opponents in the tribal regions with a view to bring peace there.
He said the government would take all decisions after consultation of the Parliament.