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Musharraf says Waziristan peace deal progressing well

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 7, IRNA
Pakistan-Musharraf
President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday the peace deal signed with tribal elders in North Waziristan tribal region is progressing well and achieving its desired objectives of peace and stability in the area.

Chairing a high-level meeting, the president stressed follow-up actions to ensure speedy development of the region and a better life for the people.

The meeting, attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, was convened to review the progress and situation in North Waziristan after the recently concluded agreement.

The president noted that the vast majority of the tribal people, including their youth, were religious but moderate and fully supported efforts of the government to develop the tribal areas, including creation of job opportunities and measures toward social emancipation of the local people.

President Musharraf reiterated that the agreement with the tribal elders did not in any way show slackness on the part of the government to root out the evils of terrorism and extremism.

"The peace agreement is in no way a compromise with the militants but rather to marginalize the militants."

"This was made clear in the agreement that the government would not allow any terrorist activities in the tribal area or across the border in Afghanistan," he added.

President Pervez Musharraf said the government was keen to ensure peace and bring development to the backward tribal areas in line with the wishes of the tribal people who, he said, want to see the region come at par with other developed areas of the country.

He emphasized that development was possible only if there was total peace and harmony in the area.

The meeting also reviewed the situation with regard to repatriation of Afghan refugees as, according to intelligence reports, their camps were being used by elements engaged in drug trafficking, criminal activities, training of militants and other kinds of cross-border activities.

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