It becomes very difficult to correct the situation if the protectors of law become the violators. The same is the situation in Pakistan as the protectors of law have changed their role. This is the reason that now the rulers have lost the confidence of the people. President Musharraf has visited Peshawar for addressing a jirga of tribal elders and maliks. Unprecedented security measures have been adopted during his stay in Peshawar. Why the president is afraiding of his own people?
During his address he asked the tribesmen to expel the foreigners. Why the president has been asking the tribesmen to expel the foreigners? It is look like the government of Pakistan has no writ in the tribal areas. The following his address to the jirga in the Governor's House.
President General Pervez Musharraf has called upon the tribesmen to convert difficulties into opportunity by fully cooperating with the government to oust foreign elements and bring about development in their areas. Addressing a grand tribal jirga here at the lawns of the Governor House, the President told the tribesmen that they were at the center of attention of the outside world after the 9/11 incident.
The President dwelt at length on the events taking place in the tribal areas and the efforts being made by the government of Pakistan and the assistance received from abroad for socio-economic development in the region.
Referring to the Pak-Afghan grand jirga to be constituted shortly to thrash out the issues confronting both the countries, President Musharraf said that it would have representation from all walks of life including tribesmen.
The jirga would be tasked to evolve a comprehensive political strategy for settlement of disputes and maintenance of public order on both sides of the border, he said.
This, the President, was a viable option to ensure prosperity and development in FATA.
He asked the tribesmen to cooperate with the government in purging the tribal territory of the foreign elements and emphasized that the task could be accomplished only with their support.
"We have been housing them (foreign elements) and providing them hospitality for the twenty-eight years but now it is becoming a threat for our solidarity and peace," he said.
President Musharraf impressed upon the tribesmen to stop cross-border infiltration of unwanted elements that were causing unrest. He cautioned them that this infiltration would have undesirable consequences in the region.
The President told the tribal elders that when peace was restored in Afghanistan the foreign forces would vacate that country.
He stressed that peace was imperative for development and progress and a panacea for all ills, but made it clear that it could not be achieved through the use of force alone.
"Pakistan needs your unflinching support which you rendered in the past in its hard days", he said and added that the elements of terror were misusing the sacred name of Islam for the fulfillment of their nefarious designs.
He told the Jirga participants that there was no threat to Islam in Pakistan as it was established in the name of Islam. " This is the only country of the world that has come into being in the name of Islam and as such it is an ideological state."
The President said no law repugnant to Quran and Sunnah could be enacted in the country and added that controversy over who is best Muslim should be avoided as it is a matter between "Creator and creature."
Referring to the peace agreements in Waziristan and Bajaur, the President underscored the need for their hundred per cent implementation and reminded tribesmen that "you do not go back on your words which is your history and character."
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