Islamabad, Feb. 18 : The Pakistan Government has refuted claims of former President General Pervez Musharraf that the authorities are trying to weaken the Army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman categorically denied the charge by saying: "The Pakistan Army and ISI are important and strong institutions that have always co-operated with the government."

She told reporters on the sidelines of an exhibition at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) here, that Musharraf's statement was based on assumptions rather than facts.

Commenting on the Swat Valley deal between the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Government and the Taliban, Rehman said the accord should not be seen as weakness on the part of the government.

"It is in no way a sign of the state's weakness. The public will of the population of the Swat region is at the centre of all efforts and it should be taken into account while debating the merits of this agreement," The Daily Times quoted Rehman, as saying.

"The agreement on the implementation of `sharia' in Malakand would also help meet the demand for the establishment of an appellate forum of the Peshawar High Court," Rehman said. (ANI)