Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Saturday that Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used for any activity which would impact the security of the entire region, and that the selective fencing of Pakistan's border with Afghanistan would help prevent illegal movement across the border.

Pakistan has always wanted a strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan and return of refugees, Aziz said in a press release.

He said that Pakistan supported a "Marshal-plan" type approach for Afghanistan's reconstruction, elimination of drug production and improved security which will enable sustainable development in the country.

He said that Pakistan had contributed about 350 million U.S. dollars for building roads, schools, hospitals and other much- needed facilities for the people of Afghanistan.

On Pakistan's tribal areas, Aziz said peace, security and development in the federally administered tribal areas (FATA) was a priority for the government as this would help the people of the areas to improve their standard of living and rearise their true potential.

He said that the government would continue providing more funds for increasing the pace of development in those areas with particular focus on health and education sectors to bring them at par with other parts of the country.

Aziz said that the government had launched a number of initiatives for the development of the tribal areas. Economic Opportunity Zones are being set up in these areas which will expedite industrialization, create jobs, create economic opportunities and lead to overall uplift of the area, he said.

He hoped that the tribal elders of FATA would help the government by playing a constructive role in changing the complexion of tribal areas and improving the standard of living of their people.

Source: Xinhua