President Musharraf told tribesmen that they would cause international embarrassment for Pakistan if they failed to expel Qaeda 'terrorists'.
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf told tribesmen from a troubled border region that they would cause international embarrassment for Pakistan if they failed to expel Al-Qaeda "terrorists", a report said.
Military ruler Musharraf, a key US ally, told a jirga or grand tribal meeting in the northwestern city of Peshawar late Tuesday that they must live up to peace deals under which they agreed to oust foreign rebels.
Musharraf faces international pressure to crack down on insurgents based in the semi-autonomous tribal belt, who are allegedly involved in global terrorism and cross-border attacks on foreign forces in Afghanistan.
"Foreign terrorists are the biggest threat to our country and therefore they have to be flushed out", the official quoted Musharraf.
Pakistani authorities signed peace deals involving tribal elders and militants in the South Waziristan area in 2005, in North Waziristan in 2006 and the Bajaur area in March 2007.
The deals followed bloody military operations in the region which left 700 soldiers and 1,000 militants dead. But they were criticised by NATO and US officials who alleged that attacks in Afghanistan rose as a result.
Musharraf said violations of the peace deals were a "matter of embarrassment for the country".
"I am always at the forefront to defend your case during foreign tours and try to brush aside the negative propaganda against you there after 9/11, besides demanding funds for your development", Musharraf said.
He told the tribal leaders the agreements needed "hundred per cent implementation" and urged them to ensure that "you do not go back on your words, which is your history and character".
"I am sure you will keep your words in future also," he said.
Hundreds of foreign Al-Qaeda militants fled Afghanistan for Pakistan after the US-led invasion that followed the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
Many more foreign Islamist fighters have been living in the area since the "jihad" against Soviet forces, who invaded Afghanistan and left in 1989.
"We have been housing them and providing them hospitality for the 28 years but now it is becoming a threat for our solidarity and peace," the president said.
Pakistan says it is now pursuing a policy of development in the tribal areas. Washington in March pledged 750 million dollars in development funds for the region over the next five years.
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