PESHAWAR, Jan 20: Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Safdar Hussain has said that tribal people are as much patriotic and loyal to their country as anybody else and their role in frustrating the nefarious designs of anti-state elements in Waziristan cannot be overlooked.

The tribal people extended cooperation to the army and administration in the war against terror and helped eliminate wanted people from their soil, the corps commander said in a message to the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas on the eve of Eidul Azha.

According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday, Lt-Gen Hussain said the government had endeavoured to embark on a journey of national development and construction in the tribal belt in order to bring those in the mainstream.

He said that large-scale development work had been initiated in the tribal area during recent years under army supervision. He said the day was not far when the people of the area would embark on the path of peace and prosperity and play their role in the development of the country.

He said the tribal people were aware of the designs of anti-state elements. Those elements were creating misunderstanding between the government and the people, but the patriotic tribal people frustrated their evil designs, he said.

He welcomed the setting up of peace committees in the area and praised the sacrifices rendered by their members. He said the elements which had penetrated local ranks in the name of religion and humanity were enemies of humankind and people's welfare.

He said there was no dearth of talent in people and a little guidance and care could ensure their glorious future. He said the day was not far when the younger generation through its talent and hard work would change the fate of the area and play its role in development of the country.

For the purpose, a network of latest educational institutions had been set up in the area, he said. He said Pakistan had abundant capital through which the demands and needs of tribal people could be met according to their wishes without any hindrance. He said the tribal area should be clean of anti-state elements so that the dream of a prosperous Pakistan and welfare of the people could be fulfilled. -APP