BANNU, Jan 19: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah said on Monday that the extremist elements hiding in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas would be flushed out at all costs.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of FM radio transmission at Serai Naurang, he said anti-social elements could not be allowed to use Pakistan's soil for their activities against any other country.

He said peace and stability were imperative for economic development and prosperity in the area. He said some parties opposed the operations against the unwanted elementsin the tribal areas on political grounds, which could damage the country's reputation.

He said terrorists in the tribal belt would be eliminated and their protectors held responsible for any undesirable activity in thearea under the collective responsibility law.

The governor said radio and other mass media played a pivotal role in the development of an area. Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) General Secretary Salim Saifullah Khan also spoke.