Rulers have been deceiving the innocent masses in war on terrorism as terrorism has still been strengthening its roots.

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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."

"I am sure you will keep your words in future also," he said.

President Musharraf told the jirga that suicide attack, bomb blasts and other terrorist acts were no service to Islam. He said such activities amounted to inviting trouble and hampering the development programme of the government.

The President pointed out that violation peace accord is a matter of embarrassment for the country abroad as "we have been telling them that these agreements are aimed at creating conducive atmosphere for peace in the tribal areas".

"I am always at the fore front to defend your case during foreign tours and try to brush aside the negative propaganda against you there after 9/11, besides demanding funds for your development".

However, he said, the tribesmen had every right to demand uplift of their areas and the government was duty bound to provide funds for this as they had suffered neglect of their development needs in the past. It was no favour to them to spend on development of their region, he added.

He urged tribesmen to focus on development and progress of their areas."You have two options before you-progress and prosperity or backwardness," he said. "God has accorded us an opportunity for progress and bright future of our coming generation," he said, underscoring the need to seize the opportunity.

President Musharraf told the jirga that peace was the way out for the honourable exit of the foreign forces from Afghanistan.

If these forces left Afghanistan in the present circumstances civil strife would erupt there, he said adding that peace in Afghanistan has direct bearing on normalcy in FATA.

"Foreign terrorists are the biggest threat to our country and therefore they have to be flushed out", he said.

The President asked the tribesmen to extend their help in removing these elements from their land.

President Musharraf, while showing his displeasure over the recent bombardment on a village in Waziristan, said that Pakistan had lodged a strong protest against this act and assured that the victims would be compensated duly.

He also announced that the flood-affected people in Kurram Agency would be given compensation.

The President lauded the loyalty of the tribesmen with the country. "You have always shed your blood for the defence and solidarity of the country. You have always demonstrated gallantry and courage and your character is unblemished and clean," he said.

Earlier, addressing the jirga, the NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Aurakzai threw light on the usefulness of Pak-Afghan grand jirga and said it would have positive impact for the promotion of peace in the area.

"We would consolidate the jirga system in FATA as it is rooted in the fabric of the tribal society," he said.

The Governor said that tribesmen are always peace loving, progressive and most loyal to the cause of the country and the nation. He said that tribal society is egalitarian as they are democratic by nature.

At the outset of the function, some elders representing various tribal agencies presented souvenirs to the President including sword, carpets, gun and traditional "Lungi".

Malik Waris Khan Afridi presented an address of welcome and highlighted the problems of tribal areas. He also assured the President that they would spare no effort for the restoration of peace and for flushing out the terrorists from their society.

"We are the custodians of the frontiers of the country and soldiers without pay", the tribal elder said.

Authors Website: https://voiceforpeace.wordpress.com/

Authors Bio:

Muhammad Khurshid, a resident of Bajaur District, tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border is journalist by profession. He contributes articles and news stories to various online and print newspapers. His subject matter is terrorism. He is also heading Voice For Peace working against terrorism in tribal areas. The aim of the Voice For Peace is restoration of peace in Bajaur Agency, tribal areas and whole world. He is looking for freelance and correspondent work from media organizations, to cover the part of the world where Al Qaeda and the Taliban are most active.