ISLAMABAD, July 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday cautioned that any stalling of the peace process between Pakistan and India would be unfortunate and doing so because of terrorist attacks would be tantamount to playing into the hands of the terrorists.

“We must not allow such terrorist acts to undermine the historic opportunity for lasting peace between Pakistan and India,” he told a National Security Council (NSC) meeting.

The president regretted the statements emanating from India in the wake of Mumbai train blasts and the postponement of the foreign secretary-level talks.

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman kept away from the meeting in accordance with a decision of the supreme council of his Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Monday.

NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani attended the meeting.

The president said that instead of hurling unsubstantiated allegations and aspersions, India should share with Pakistan if it had any concrete information. “We would help with the investigation,” he said.

According to informed sources, President Musharraf said that assemblies would complete their tenure and he would ensure holding of free and fair elections.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said the president had pointed out that he was fulfilling his promise that present assemblies would complete their five-year term.

The minister said the process to re-elect the president would start in September-October next year.

The president, referring to the Middle East crisis, called for immediate steps to de-escalate the conflict situation in the region.

The NSC discussed the internal and external security environment and initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Balochistan.

The NWFP governor and the interior secretary gave presentations on the security situation, particularly in Fata. The foreign secretary briefed the meeting on the international and regional geo-strategic environment.

Gen Musharraf said the government would not tolerate extremism and militancy and directed provincial governments to move swiftly and effectively against elements involved in spreading sectarian hatred or militancy.

He said a record allocation had been made for the Public Sector Development Programme in the new budget and gains of economic development were being transferred to the common citizen. He said special funds had been earmarked for less developed areas in Balochistan and Fata.

The meeting was informed that the federal government had increased the budget for accelerating the pace of development in Fata and approved a special package of Rs1.3 billion. Also, a Fata Development Authority had been established and rural support programme had been extended to the area.

To deal with the security situation in Fata, a grand tribal jirga has been constituted and a consultative advisory council formed. The council resolved to strengthen the writ of the government in Fata and to break the vicious cycle of poverty.

The NSC was informed that there was a decline in major crimes like murders, gang rapes, robberies and kidnappings.

About Balochistan, the meeting was informed that most safe havens of militants had been busted, especially in Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti. The militants have suffered severe losses, both in men and material, and their leadership was on the run. Hundreds of fugitives have surrendered and more were likely to follow suit.

“The resolve of the state was displayed and liberty of action of miscreants curtailed,” the NSC was informed. It noted that return of internally-displaced tribes to Dera Bugti was a clear indication of improved security situation in the area.

The NSC was informed that the registration of seminaries was progressing well and so far 5,511 out of 11,822 madressahs had been registered. About 487 foreign students were deported last year and process was on to send back 784 students who did not have NOCs from their countries.