* NWFP information minister says rumours being propagated by people who want terrorism to gain strength
PESHAWAR: NWFP government has no contact with Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi chief Sufi Muhammad and such rumours will only benefit the Taliban, NWFP Informatrion Minister Iftikhar Hussain said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Iftikhar rejected the impression created by certain quarters about the government's backdoor-diplomacy with Sufi Muhammad, saying that such stories were propagated by elements wanting to strengthen militancy in the country.
He said July 13 was a significant day in the country's history, as on this day, the world's biggest wave of displaced people began moving back to their homes in a disciplined manner.
"It is a day of jubilation for all of us that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have started moving back to their homes," he said, adding that the repatriation process began in an organised fashion and would culminate in accordance with the set schedule.
The provincial chief minister saw off the first batch of IDPs from Charsadda district, who were received by NWFP Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour, Minister for Environment Wajid Ali Khan and MPA Shamsher Ali Khan in Swat.
Iftikhar said he had recently addressed a public gathering in Khwazakhela, where all bazaars were open and the people went about their lives as usual.
"The response of the people gathered on the occasion was indicative of the fact that terrorists will never come back," the minister said, adding that times had gone when the people of Swat had to give their hard-earned income as donation to the Taliban.
"The minds of the people have changed in Swat and they are earnestly demanding of the government wipe out the criminals from their soil who fooled them in the name of Islam, slaughtered the innocent desecrated corpses and ruined public property," Iftikhar said.
The information minister said that government would increase the strength of the police force and in order to avoid the re-emergence of the Taliban. app
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