ISLAMABAD: The US administration has floated a proposal before Pakistani authorities to hold referendum in the NWFP regarding its future, informed sources confided to The Post on Friday.

The sources said the US administration had asked Pakistan to decide the troubled-area of the NWFP through referendum either it go with Pakistan or emerge as an independent province. Before taking positions along the Pak-Afghan border, General Mullen who visited Pakistan last week floated this proposal before the Pakistani authorities.

However, the authorities refused the proposal straight away and conveyed a strong message before the visiting US General that the government of Pakistan would resolve the issue through its own description.

Meanwhile, local Taliban also joined hands with Pakistani forces against US forces which also sent a strong message to the US administration that people of the NWFP were not wishing for independent state. The Awami National Party-led province is, however, looking for changing the name of province according to the desire of locals.