The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Transport and Inter Provincial Coordination, Mian Iftikhar Hussain has stressed upon the European Union to play its role in restoring lasting peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan and eradication of terrorism and militancy from the region.

This he stated while talking to a 2-member visiting delegation of European Union at Peshawar on Monday. Members of the delegation were Charge de Affairs, Mr. Pierre Mayaudon and First Consular Political, Trade and Communication, Mr. Alexendre Borges Gomes. 

Secretary Information Azmat Hanif Orakzai and Director Information Shuaiduddin were also present on the occasion. 

Members of the delegation remained there for some time and beside discussing matters of mutual interest, security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also came under discussion.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain maintained that the European Union had always helped us in odd hours hoping that it would continue to help us in future also. 

He however said, in the rapidly changing scenario particularly after the death of Osama Bin Laden, misunderstandings widened between Pakistan, USA and Afghanistan which need to be removed adding that in this connection the role of European Union was of very important nature.

Referring to the internal situation, the Information Minister said that the Pakistan of today was more strong as compared to the past as all its institutions were independently working in its orbits. 

The present situation of tussle was due to the democracy and independence of all the institutions. 

He said that the world community should work for democracy and democratic institutions and discourage the undemocratic forces and dictatorship.

The Minister while terming the 18th Constitutional Amendment, a silent revolution said that it was the big achievement of the present government adding that with the provincial autonomy, the country had strengthened and prove helpful in removing the deprivations of the federating units. 

He said, if provincial autonomy had been given soon after the creation of Pakistan, the debacle of Dacca would not have occurred.

Talking on the upcoming general elections, the minister hoped that it would be held in time and would be very transparent as for the first time in the history of the country a unanimous election commissioner has been posted. 

He said that foreign observers would also be invited to monitor the elections.