July 19, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 15, 1429

PESHAWAR, July 18: Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour said on Friday that the NWFP government would maintain law and order and would not allow anyone to kill law-enforcement personnel.

Talking to a delegation, the minister said the government would neither resign nor would be dictated to by any group. Apparently reacting to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mahsud’s ‘ultimatum’ to the provincial government to resign within five days, Mr Bilour said peace and security in the settled areas of the province, including Hangu district, would be maintained.

He also said that the peace agreement with Swat Taliban would be implemented in letter and spirit.

Members of the delegation praised government’s efforts for maintaining law and order in the province, particularly in Peshawar, and assured full cooperation to the government.

Mr Bilour, who heads the government’s holding talks with the Swat Taliban, said the government could not even think of using force against its own people but at the same it could not allow anyone to challenge its writ.