PESHAWAR, Dec 15: The Governor of NWFP, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, has said that the people of tribal areas will thwart the nefarious designs of mischievous elements against the country.

Speaking at a gathering of tribal elders and members of the civil administration, during a visit to Bajaur Agency, on Tuesday, the governor praised the tribesmen for the sacrifices they had rendered for the defence of their country.

Referring to the foreign elements and their anti-state activities in the South Waziristan Agency, the governor claimed that foreign militants had been rooted out from the Waziristan tribal region. However, he apprehended that they might try to intrude other areas to disrupt peace.

According to an official handout issued here, the NWFP governor visited the proposed site for Fata campus of the University of Engineering and Technology at the Bajaur Agency. The campus is being set up at Zorband near Nawagai.

The UET campus would spread over an area of 658 Kanals including existing premises measuring 120 Kanals of under construction Government Degree College at Nawagai. The governor said that the UET Fata campus would play a vital role in development of education and human resources of the entire area.

He said the objective of development of Fata could not be achieved overnight as it required proper planning and resources. Mr Shah said for this purpose a peaceful atmosphere was necessary. He urged the tribesmen to be more vigilant against the elements who were trying to disrupt the peace of the area for their selfish gains.

He warned tribesmen against foreign elements and their anti-state activities in South Waziristan in particular. He expressed his confidence that tribesmen of the Bajaur agency would be more cautious and alert towards these elements. Mr Shah said the tribesmen have always supported and backed the government against the enemy, but now we are facing an enemy which was hiding within our ranks.