ISLAMABAD, Aug 14: President Pervez Musharraf has reiterated that Pakistan will never allow use of its soil by terrorists and expressed his government’s determination to root out extremism and terrorism in the country.

“The country is facing the menace of extremism and terrorism and it is very unfortunate that a handful of extremist groups want to force their will over majority who are enlightened and moderate,” he said while speaking at a reception he hosted for senior serving and retired armed forces officers and junior commissioned officers at the Artillery Officers Mess as part of the Independence Day celebrations here on Tuesday.

He, however, expressed the confidence that these elements would not succeed in achieving their ulterior motives.

According to a press release issued by the ISPR, the president observed that extremism and terrorism could hamper the pace of economic growth which the country had attained during the last eight years.

Gen Musharraf dwelt at length on various issues of national and international importance and their relevance to Pakistan. He said the armed forces were guarantors for peace, stability and integrity of the country.

The president highlighted the economic progress and said the government was aware of basic needs of the people and was making all-out efforts to pass on the benefit of this economic development to the common man.

Maj-Gen (retd) Mumtaz Ali, Sitara-i-Jurrat, was chief guest on the occasion. The reception was attended by General Ehsan-ul-Haq, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff, and General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, Vice Chief of Army Staff.