ISLAMABAD, March 27: President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said Pakistan will continue to act strongly against terrorists in Wana and would not allow them to damage the country.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Cadet College Hasan Abdal, the president asserted that what is happening in Wana has nothing to do with Islam and nor it is a matter concerning Muslims or non-Muslims.

"There are people who are carrying out terrorism, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, that is not the issue at all.

"Let's not make it an issue of Muslims and non-Muslims, they are terrorists, they are carrying out terrorism in the country," he underscored.

President Musharraf said on the occasion that Al Qaeda was the mastermind of recent suicide attacks on him.

"These very foreigners, who are living there, let me also say that the suicide attacks on me, the mastermind is certainly Al Qaeda, these people, whether you call them Al Qaeda or whatever, they are the mastermind."

He said these terrorists recruit people and carry out terrorism.

"Most of the bombings that have taken place in Pakistan - in Taxila, Murree and Karachi, have been masterminded by these people."

He emphasized that the issue is not about Muslims and non-Muslims but the issue is that Pakistan is being damaged.

"We will not allow this damage to come to Pakistan."

He said the government asked them not to do anything that may harm Pakistan and even offered amnesty to those who surrender but these people carried out terrorism in the country.

"Therefore, we have to act - and we will act strongly, we will not allow Pakistan to be damaged."

President Musharraf advised the students to remain honest, truthful, content and be tolerant towards each other's views.

Touching upon the issue of extremism and religious sectarianism facing the country internally, he stressed the importance of developing a spirit of tolerance in the society.

The president said there are vested interests who are misusing religion for their political ends.

As a result, he regretted, the vested interests are trying to create a divide amongst people, "divide of weak Muslims and better Muslims".

"Let us tolerate each other's views and not be fundamentalist - we are all Muslims - we need to develop the spirit of tolerance." He said nobody should try to force or impose his views on others.

"Don't be misled, understand that you are all Muslims and your brothers around you are all Muslims, tolerate their views and keep your views to yourself," he urged the younger generation.

Gen Musharraf reiterated a firm commitment of the government to human resource development, saying it is the very basis for long-term development and progress of the nation.

"And education lies at the heart of human resource development - we are pursuing a plan to promote education at all levels - from primary to higher - both to lay foundation with higher levels of literacy and to form a super structure for higher education."

He informed the ceremony, also attended by old Abdalians, that the government is focused on projecting a positive image of the country through promotion of sports events, tourism and culture.

On promotion of sports, he referred to the steps taken for making sports bodies including Pakistan Olympic Association, Pakistan Sports Board and Sports Federations and said outstanding sportsmen will be awarded with trophies and incentives to raise the quality of game in all disciplines.

The president urged the students to strike a balance between developing a strong character, getting deep knowledge and taking active part in sports activities.

The president, earlier, reviewed parade by smartly turned out cadets of the college.

He praised the tradition of excellence maintained by the alma mater over half a century ..-APP

SOLEMN COMMITMENT: Gen Musharraf on Friday made a solemn commitment that Pakistan was going to "eliminate Al Qaeda from the region" saying that "the writ of the government will be established, and these people have to be eliminated," Masood Haider adds from New York.