President Gen Pervez Musharaf has said that some elements are fanning civil war in Pakistan and urged the people to stand united against these elements. Extremists, whether Taliban or others, shall not be allowed to hold sway in Pakistan, the president said at the inauguration ceremony for a project to supply gas to the southern NWFP districts of Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan. He said that the Pashtun people had backed Quaid-e-Azam during the foundation of Pakistan. “Pakistan is passing through the same situation and needs the assistance of Pashtuns in this critical moment,” he added.
He urged people not to harbour foreigners living in their areas without legal documents. He said Pakistan faced no external threat, but some “internal elements” were against the development of the country. “Some retrogressive elements propagates that I am against Islam but I tell you that they are wrong,” he said. “I am the real Muslim.”
He urged the people of Karak to vote for progressives and reject extremists in the next general elections. He said that Pakistan was at a crossroads. “People have to decide whether they want to embrace development or backwardness,” he added. The president said that Pakistan was in dire need for big dams to cope with an energy shortage, and so Kalabagh Dam would be built.
Gen Musharraf said that ten water filtration plants would be installed in Karak district, and Rs 20 million would be spent on resolving electricity supply problems in the district.