In a meeting presided over by President Pervez Musharraf yesterday, the government said only Pakistani troops will be allowed to conduct operations in the tribal areas.

''Only our own forces will ensure security in North and South Waziristan agencies and other FATA areas. As a sovereign country, Pakistan cannot allow any foreign troops to operate on its soil,'' the Dawn newspaper said quoting Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.

He said the law and order situation in FATA was gradually improving. South and North Waziristan have been the sites of a series of military operations in the last two years launched in the hunt of al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives, who fled US-led military operations in Afghanistan and tood refuge in the two regions.

Hundreds of foreign Islamic militants, mostly Arabs, Uzbeks, Afghans and Chechens, were killed during military operations in the two areas.

One of the major issues, the minister said, was the sense of deprivation that often led to criminal activities in the tribal areas.

He said the government was taking all possible administrative and security measures to restore normalcy in the tribal areas, with the help of important political and religious leaders.

Mr Sherpao said the process to set up a ''grand jirga'' or assembly of elders comprising notables from each of the seven semi-autnomous agencies in FATA and religious leaders to ensure peace and tranquillity in the region had started and it was expected to be completed soon.

He said adequate foreign and local funds were being spent in tribal areas to complete various developmental projects, especially those related to education and health.

The minister said Pakistan was cooperating with US and Afgan officials to ensure peace and security in Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan itself had suffered due to terrorism and therefore, there was no question of supporting Taliban against anyone.

Mr Sherpao said the meeting expressed satisfaction over various measures being taken to improve the law and order situation in FATA.

During the meeting, President Musharraf expressed his commitment to socio-economic progress of FATA through an effective system of governance and increased economic opportunities.

UNI XC PA ND1726