President General Pervez Musharraf hosted a reception for senior serving and retired Armed Forces officers and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) at the Artillery Officers Mess as part of the Independence Day celebrations here on Tuesday.
Major General Mumtaz Ali (Retd), Sitara-i-Jurrat and Bar was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, President General Pervez Musharraf dwelt at length on various issues of national and international importance and their relevance to the Pakistan.
He said the Armed Forces of Pakistan are guarantors for peace, stability and integrity of the country. He also highlighted the economic progress made by the present government during last eight years.
Explaining briefly about development in different sectors, the President mentioned that the government is aware of basic needs of the people and is making all efforts that the benefit of this economic development should reach the common man.
He said the country is facing the menace of extremism and terrorism and it is very unfortunate that a handful of extremist groups want to force their will over the majority who are enlightened and moderate. But it will not happen. He said: "The government is determined to root out extremism and terrorism from its soil at all cost and we will not let anyone use Pakistani soil for the purpose of terrorism."
The President expressed his concern that extremism and terrorism can hamper the pace of economic growth, which Pakistan has attained during last eight years.
The reception was attended by General Ehsanul Haq, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, Vice Chief of Army Staff, former chairmen of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs and a large number of senior serving and retired officers and Junior Commissioned Officers of the three services.
The President mixed freely with the guests and individually met with all retired officers and Junior Commissioned Officers present on the occasion and inquired after their health, welfare and exchanged views on various issues.