ISLAMABAD, April 3: President Gen Pervez Musharraf declared on Monday that no one would be allowed to damage national assets, and expressed the hope that development work in Balochistan would go on uninterrupted.

Presiding over the 59th Formation Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, he said the writ of the government would be established at all costs in Balochistan.

He said the law-enforcement agencies and the Frontier Corps were playing their role in effectively dealing with the law and order situation in the province.

The president pointed out that matters pertaining to internal security were being given special attention. He mentioned the “extraordinary work done by the army, paramilitary, and intelligence agencies and other government departments” in combating terrorism and successes achieved in this regard in Fata, Balochistan and other parts of the country.

“With our important geo-strategic location, Pakistan will continue to play its rightful role and contribute positively towards peace and harmony in the region.”

According to an official announcement, Gen Musharraf said that with pragmatic policies and progressive approach for developing the country’s potential, Pakistan could play a significant role and become an important economic and trade hub and an energy corridor.

He appreciated the high state of operational preparedness, training efficiency and vigilance of the army.

The conference is being attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsanul Haq, Vice-chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, corps commanders, principal staff officers and general officers.

Gen Musharraf paid rich tributes to the army for successfully managing the Oct 8 earthquake. He said it was a catastrophe and the nation had faced it with fortitude and determination.

He also commended the support and assistance provided by NGOs and contingents from friendly countries in rescue and relief work. The president also appreciated the work of Federal Relief Commission, which has now been merged into the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra).

He said officers, particularly army engineers, doctors, aviation pilots, formation troops and logistic elements working in the quake-hit areas deserved appreciation.

Paying tribute to the outgoing scientists Dr Pervez Butt, former chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and Arshad Mira, former chairman of the Dr A.Q Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), the president said they, with other scientist and members of the strategic organization, had made tangible progress towards consolidating the deterrence and strategic assets.

Talking about the role of women in armed forces, the president said there were over 3,000 women in the army, but they were mainly in the medical corps. He directed that women might also be inducted in other branches of the army.

In the second session, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, State Bank Governor Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah and Erra Chairman Mr Saleem Altaf joined the proceedings.

The prime minister spoke about the elements of state craft, various initiatives taken to sustain the high economic growth, improving the life of the common man and enhancing the functioning of various government departments.

He also spoke about economy, democracy, governance, diplomacy, media freedom and free political culture in the country. He underscored the need for continuation of reforms beyond 2007 for sustained growth.

Emphasising the need for credible defence, the prime minister said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted to maintain peace in the region.

However, balance of power was a pre-requisite for peace, he said and added that peace was achieved through strength whereas weakness invited aggression.

Conventional and non-conventional deterrence should be maintained and the resources required for the purpose would be made available, he said.

Later, the prime minister answered questions of the participants.

Dr Salman Shah informed the meeting about various initiatives taken by the government to sustain the high economic growth and improve the life of the common man.

Mr Saleem Altaf briefed the meeting on the reconstruction and rehabilitation programme in earthquake-hit areas. He exchanged views with the formation commanders, particularly those engaged in the field in relief efforts right from day one.

After the concluding session on the first day of the three-day conference, President General Pervez Musharraf and the participants witnessed weapons and equipment developed by the Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Inspectorate of Armament, Inspection and Technical Development Organisation and the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.