ISLAMABAD, July 9: The Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal on Friday said the government was determined to developing backward areas, especially Northern Areas , and bringing them on a par with other developed parts of the country.

He was speaking at a function after taking oath of his office as Chief Executive of Northern Areas at the NA House on Friday. The acting chairman, Northern Areas Chief Court, Justice Mohammad Khurshid, sworn in the minister.

Deputy Chief Executive Northern Areas, Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad, advisers, NALC members, MNAs from Fata, and senior officials of the Northern Areas administration attended the ceremony.

Dr Jamal said President Pervez Musharraf was taking keen interest in and giving top priority to the development of the Northern Areas. He reiterated the government's commitment to root out terrorism, religious extremism, sectarianism from the society and make Pakistan an enlightened moderate, progressive, economically stable, prosperous and peaceful Muslim welfare country in the world.

The minister urged people from all schools of thought, intellectuals, ulema and mashaikh to help the government in achieving these goals, especially in rooting out the menace of sectarianism from the country in general, and Northern Areas in particular.

He stressed the need for maintaining law and order to ensure unhindered development process, alleviate poverty and make Northern Areas a developed peaceful tourist destination of Pakistan.

In reply to a question, about his future plans for the poverty-ridden and sectarianism-infected region, with special reference to the thorny issue of syllabus, Dr Jamal expressed his optimism in tackling these issues amicably.

He said majority of the people wanted peace and development in the area. He, however, expressed his resolve to establish peace, order and tranquillity in the Northern Areas and solve the basic problems of the people.

Speaking on the occasion the deputy chief executive of Northern Areas, Fida Nashad, recalled the services of Maj-Gen Jamaldar Khan, the father of the Dr Jamal for the Northern Areas as a minister and hoped that the chief executive will accomplish the mission of his late father and work for the development of the area.

The chief executive also attended a briefing. Dr Jamal directed the officials of the Northern Areas administration, heads of departments to ensure peace in the region and expedite works on development projects.