MIRANSHAH, May 10: Religious scholars of North Waziristan Agency have assured the government of their full support in nabbing anti-social and criminal elements in the agency.

Addressing a press conference here the other day, the Ulema said that all the tribes of the agency would honour the pact the Uthmanzai tribe had signed with the government with regard to flushing out criminals from the tribal territory.

They made it clear the Ulema and religious scholars of the area had no links whatsoever with the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda members. They also dispelled the impression that tribesmen or the religious people of the agency were sheltering the fleeing Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters.

They also assured the government that the Ulema would fully support the government in its drive against terrorism and eliminating terrorists.

The religious leaders also condemned the firing of a missile on the Government Degree College Miranshah and asked the government to launch an impartial probe into the incident.

They also offered cooperation to the government on the verification of religious schools operating in the agency.