President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said Pakistan will not be deterred with sporadic terrorist activities aimed at tarnishing the country's image and sabotaging the domestic peace. He stated this while presiding over a day-long Corps Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters, where professional matters and other areas related to operational preparedness were discussed.
In his opening remarks, General Pervez Musharraf gave an overview of the regional and domestic environment and the prevailing security situation in the country.
He commended the performance of security forces, who are combating terrorism under challenging environments in tribal areas with exemplary courage and devotion.
The President paid rich tributes to those valiant officers and men who have laid down their lives for a bigger national cause.
The President also appreciated the role of other law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, who have very successfully nabbed some of the leading terrorists and broken their network.
Musharraf expressed his firm resolve to counter subversive actions by the foreign miscreants and their local facilitators, saying: "We shall not allow these terrorists to keep our society hostage to their malicious agenda", adding: "Pakistan is a responsible country, and shall continue to play its rightful role in eradicating the menace of global terrorism."
The recent unfortunate incident of kidnapping of two Chinese engineers cannot affect Pak-China relations and ulterior motives to disrupt ongoing developing projects would be foiled, he said.
The President briefed the participants of the conference about his recent visit to the United States in general, with special reference to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and also dilated upon the ongoing peace process with India.
He expressed optimism that the peace process would be purposeful and resolve long-standing dispute of Kashmir.
Talking about the recently held Defence Exhibition and Seminar at Karachi "Ideas-2004," the President praised the untiring efforts of the organisers, saying the Ideas-2004 has enhanced country's image at the international level.
On the role of the Pakistan Army in nation building, Musharraf lauded the efforts of Army engineers, who have voluntarily undertaken the herculean task of repairing the Left Bank Out-fall Drain (LBOD) in Sindh which has been badly damaged in the rain.
He directed that the task he completed at priority as it would bring relief to the affected areas of Sindh.
A briefing about the progress at the new GHQ Complex was also given to participants of the conference.
The President, while highlighting the importance of all Services Headquarters at one place, said the co-location will not only ensure efficient working environment, but also facilitate evolving of synergised in the quickest possible time which is crucial in modern warfare.
After the conference, the President awarded Chief of Army Staff Sports Trophy to Lahore Corps based on results of nine various sports events.
He appreciated the Lahore Corps for winning the trophy for the fourth consecutive time.