MOHMAND AGENCY, July 2: Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Ali Mohammad Jan Orakzai has said that some elements want to harm friendly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Addressing a tribal Jirga in the Mohmand Agency headquarters, Ghalanai on Wednesday he said that Islamabad wanted close ties with Kabul as both countries had settled their differences with mutual understanding. However, referring to the recent skirmishes along the Durand Line he said that there were some elements who wanted to damage the amiable relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

He thanked tribesmen of the Mohmand Agency for extending cooperation to the army troops and paramilitary forces deployed along the border last week.

Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj Gen Hamid Khan and senior officials and political agents also attended the Jirga.

Mr Orakzai said that deployment process of the army troops along the Durand Line in Mohmand region had been completed and now the armed forces would start development projects in the area.

He said that Pakistan army would construct schools, health-care centres, roads and launch water supply schemes in the region, while Wapda would supply electricity in the inaccessible parts of the remote area.

The government had allocated Rs2 billion for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the current annual development programme whereas funds had been earmarked for developmental schemes under Khushal Pakistan Programme, he added.