Pakistan News Service

Sha'aban 17, 1431 Hijri July 31, 2010

Setting up of EDZ vital to eliminate terrorism in tribal areas: President

Sunday June 17, 2007 (0915 PST)

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf has urged US to expedite work for the establishment of Economic Development Zone (EDZ) in tribal areas of the country to remove poverty and wiping out scourge of extremism there.

For Peace and stability in war torn country of Afghanistan, the President added, Pakistan, America and all coalition parties would have to take the decision keeping in view the ground realities.

Talking to US Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte in the Presidential Camp Office on Saturday, President General Pervez Musharraf made it clear we cannot achieve our goals without defeating terrorism and extremism.

The US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was present during the meeting. The talks focused on bilateral relations, counter terrorism cooperation, Afghanistan and promotion of defence and trade relations.

Welcoming Negroponte in the country, the President underlined the importance Pakistan attached to strategic relations with the United States and highlighted expanding cooperation in diverse fields including defence, sources told Online.

President General Pervez Musharraf apprised him about the role of Pakistan in ongoing war against terrorism. He informed that we are combating and countering foreign terrorist in Waziristan and areas alongside the Pak-Afghan border.

The President was of the view that peace deal struck by Government with tribal elders in North Waziristan are yielding positive result because tribal are themselves against foreign anti state elements and we are supporting them.

However, President General Pervez Musharraf stressed the need to expedite work for the formation of economic development zone in tribal areas of the country.

About Afghanistan, the President observed that social and political steps would be taken for peace in Afghanistan, besides military operation. Both President and Negroponte have agreed to continue close relations for peace and stability in Afghanistan, sources maintained.

On the occasion, US Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte said US values its relations with Pakistan adding that next phase of strategic dialogue to promote cooperation in fields of education, defence, trade, health and others would be started soon.

He assured that the pledge made by US with Pakistan would be fulfilled honestly and respectfully and the congress would also take into confidence in this respect.

A bill for establishment of economic development zone in tribal areas of Pakistan, he said, would soon be moved in the congress for legislation.

He lauded the role of Pakistan in war against terrorism by saying that Pakistan's role for peace in Afghanistan and defeating Talibanisation and Al-Qaeda has internationally appreciated.

US Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte held that US would continue its deep cooperation with Pakistan in war against terrorsim.

•

What do you think about the story?

Read what others have to say

Yes, setting up of Economic Development Zone in tribal areas will mitigate gun culture there. Tribal areas will be like Peshawar.Tribal areas are impoverished and are ripe with rampant violence.They are like the red Indian or native zones of America and Canada, but the tribals of Pakistan are white European looking in complexion and even more sharp and attractive in facial features.Tribal women have wonderful and loverly looking faces and their men are equally handsome, strong and energetic like their gorgeous looking women.Given the economic opportunities, these people can flourish and prosper and educate themselves. They will throw away their gun and pick up the pens instead.

Also, it will be a wise idea to let terrorism not spread to remaining of the country.

PAKISTAN MUST GIVE KARACHI A VERY SPECIAL PEACE STATUS BY RIDDING THE CITY OF THE GUNS.ALLAH HAS BLESSED THE CITY WITH VERY SPECIAL BUSINESS CLIMATE AND THE CITY MUST THINK COMMERCIAL WITH ALL ITS CHARMS OF ETHNIC AND SOCIAL DIVERSITY.WITH ALMOST ONE DOZEN BEAUTIFUL BEACHES LIKE CLIFTON, KIMARI, MINORA, HAWKSBAY, PARADISE POINT , SANDSPIT AND OTHERS, THE CITY CAN BE HIGHLY ENJOYABLE.I REMEMBER VISITING AND EVEN STAYING IN PEACE HEAVEN KARACHI BEFORE MIGRATING TO CANADA IN 1966.WE USED TO FEEL PLEASURE IN WALKING ON THE STREETS OF KARACHI EVEN PAST MIDNIGHT WITHOUT AN IOTA OF FEAR. GUNS WERE NON EXISTENT IN KARACHI.

I WISH ALL OF PAKISTAN BECOMES PEACE HEAVEN AGAIN.

IT WILL BE MISNOMER TO CALL THE TRIBALS AS TERRORISTS. IT MAY BE RIGHT TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE GUN CULTURE LIKE THE RED INDIANS OF AMERICA AND CANADA HAVE KNIFE CULTURE WITH RAMPANT STABBING WITHIN NATIVE PEOPLE OF NORTH AMERICA.

BEST OF LUCK TO MUSHARRAF TO GET THE TRIBALS TRANSFORMED TO LIKE THE PEOPLE OF PESHAWAR, WITH TRIBAL BEAUTIES DINING AND LAUGHING WITH SHARP LOOKS AND MODERNITY AND ADVANCEMENT.

Posted by Anwar Mahmood, Canada

Musharraf has proved a mediocre military soldier. As President he degraded himself before India as a campaigning for his King Party. His public meetings are arranged and billions are spent on them. His prime minister fell for greed and smeared his face with the scandal of the Steel Mills. He created a billion dollar blunder by forwarding a reference against the CJ, who had taken suo motu action against the Steel Mill fiasco. The Law Minister behaved like a unruly police constable. President has created cheap puppets, who are being ridiculed and lambasted in TV shows.
Posted by Sher Mohammad, Pakistan

Tribals can be modern with advancement. ______________ Anwar Mahmood, Canada (2007-06-17 20:34:16)

Conditions in Pakistan call for a dynamic leader. ______________ Sher Mohammad, Pakistan (2007-06-17 09:30:03)


Send us your comments:

Name:
Your E-mail Address:
Your Country:
Comments Heading:
Comments:
Characters left

Note:The PakTribune will publish as many comments as possible but cannot guarantee publication of all. PakTribune keeps its rights reserved to edit the comments for reasons of clarity, brevity and morality.