President General Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that Pakistan is passing through a difficult phase with turmoil in the region, which has a direct or indirect impact on Pakistan. He was addressing the 60th Formation Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters, a statement from the ISPR said.
The conference is being attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan-ul-Haq, Vice Chief of Army Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and Formation Commanders.
The President dwelt at length on the international, regional, and domestic environment. He said because of its important geo-strategic location, Pakistan is and will continue to play its rightful role and contribute positively towards peace and harmony in the region. He said that with pragmatic policies and progressive approach to develop our potential, Pakistan could play a significant role and become an important economic trade hub and an energy corridor.
Musharraf said that with the country's Armed Forces stronger than ever before in conventional and non-conventional fields, Pakistan is fully capable of facing any external challenges.
"With nation's support, we are growing stronger with every passing day", he said, adding Pakistan has no offensive or aggressive designs against any country, but "we will safeguard our integrity and honour at all cost."
Talking about the domestic environment and internal security, the President said that today, internal threat is posing the greatest challenge to integrity of the country. Pakistan faces the menace of extremism, obscurantism and religious bigotry, he added.
Commenting on incidents of extremism in Islamabad, the President said: "We are following a prudent course in tackling the misguided youth. Moderate forces must win and we must defeat extremism, if Pakistan has to progress." He hoped that moderate forces in the country will join hands to defeat these regressive elements.
While eulogising the role, efforts and sacrifices rendered by the Army, Frontier Corps, intelligence services and other security elements in operations against terrorists, the President said that Pakistan is a frontline state in war on international terrorism and has done the maximum.
Musharraf said that Pakistan is fighting this war on terrorism in its own interest. In the same context, he remarked that the problem of Taliban lies in Afghanistan where they are on one side and the Afghan government and the Coalition Forces on the other.
Admitting that Taliban have some support in our tribal areas, he said: "We are making sure that this support is effectively neutralised. Our strategy in Tribal areas is succeeding with positive results and we are encouraging others to follow the same."
Referring to the recent clashes between foreign militants and local tribesmen which resulted into the death of over 200 foreign militants; he highlighted that these operations by local tribesmen with support of the Army and announcement by Jirga of Ahmadzai Wazirs reflects resolve of the people to get rid of the menace of militancy and bring peace to the area for development and progress. The President said that the sacrifices made by Pakistani Security Forces in war on terror are unprecedented and deserve the highest appreciation.
He spoke at length on Pak-India relations and expressed optimism on conflict resolution between the two countries. Relations between Pakistan and India have never been better, he remarked.
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