ISLAMABAD, May 30: Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan, the Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Sunday said that Pakistan's missile programme was a big achievement and the nation should be proud of it.

He was speaking during PTV's 'News Night' programme about the Ghauri missile test conducted by Pakistan on Saturday. He said that the accuracy with which this missile hits its target "is a matter of pride for us."

The missiles so far test-fired by Pakistan have achieved their targets, he added. He said that in the missile technology, guidance system and range were of prime importance. Sultan said that "we could claim with pride" that the missile "can carry various types of weapon systems" and "we had different varieties in its ranges."

He said that "our technology was comparatively better" and could compete any type of anti-ballistic or other missile systems. Maj-Gen Sultan said that President Pervez Musharraf had repeatedly said that the balance of power was a guarantee to peace in the region.

He said that if there was balance of power then no country would commit aggression against the other. He said: "If you assure the other that if he committed aggression then he will also face irreparable loss, then it can be called balance of power."

He said that if "we maintained the balance" then it will lead to peace in the region and nobody would be able to commit aggression. Talking about the situation in Wana, the ISPR director general said that the whole nation was aware about the development there during the last few months.

He said that in South Wazirstan agency, there were some foreigners and some Pakistanis belonging to a small tribe who were facilitating them. When these people came to know that it was not possible for them to continue, they presented themselves before the government.

In this connection, an agreement was made on April 24. It was part of the agreement that the foreigners with them would be given the right to reside in Pakistan if they got themselves registered with the authority.

It was also agreed that "if these foreigners abide by the rules of the country" they could live in an honourable manner. After this, he said, the jirgas were held. They formed their own Lashkar. All this was part of political process and tradition.

Replying to a question, he said that the next step was that if these people did not accept, then economic sanctions would be imposed on them and aid for development would be stopped.

"If these people did not obey the law as a tribe then their social boycott would be made so that they could be forced into obeying the rule of law." He said that if they did not obey the law, the whole tribe would suffer. He added that this was part of the Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR).

He said that if the economic sanctions failed then the government had other options, but the government first wanted to use all the peaceful means. Mr Sultan said that if the need arose, any operation could be conducted on a short notice.

He said that the tribal area, like other parts of the country, was a part of Pakistan. The only difference between them was the system of governance. He said that in order to bring tribal areas at par with other areas of the country it was necessary to bring changes in the system of governance of these areas.

Replying to a question about the objection of some elements that the issue of registration was not included in the agreement, Mr Sultan said a pledge was very much important in the tribal areas.

He said that the tribals have their own customs and traditions. Mr Sultan said that the government had a written proof about the registration of foreigners in the agreement. He said that if there were no foreigners in the area then why these persons requested for an extension in the deadline to talk to these elements.

Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan said that the foreigners were present in the area, they had their own political agenda, they wanted to harm the image of our country and religion. He said that the army had been strengthened and reinforced in the area and "it can start operation at a very short notice." -APP