20000225

Ban on weapons

display will help

evolve organised

society: CE

SIBI: Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday stated that government's recent steps for maintenance of law and order including ban on display of weapons will help evolve an organised society and improve Pakistan's image internationally.

"The display of weapons should be stopped immediately so that we move towards becoming an organised society," he said while addressing the notables of Sibi division.

Gen. Musharraf said that the display of weapons points to lack of governance and provides a pretext to some countries to defame Pakistan.

"We are a nuclear power Ñ one of the seven countries of the world Ñ that reflects our capabilities Ñ we should also be an organised society at the same time and do not let the outside world to think of us as backward people".

The government, he emphasised, was committed to using taxpayers' money for the amelioration of the people across the country.

"The government will spend taxpayers' money honestly and fully for the development of the country," he said while urging that people should pay taxes.

The chief executive said the Central Board of Revenue has been directed to reform tax system.

"The tax rates should be lowered Ñ they will be lowered when more people pay taxes while at present, only 20 percent of people pay taxes".

Gen. Musharraf said that the foreign and private investment would be encouraged to accelerate the pace of economic progress.

Referring to the immense potential of Balochistan for export of good quality of fruit, specially apple, he said, the Export Promotion Bureau was being empowered and it would impart proper guidance to private sector to boost exports.

Pakistan, he said, had been blessed with an immense wealth of potential for progress but this potential was not capitalised on.

In response to demands of the people, the chief executive said an amount of Rs 16 billion was being spent on the construction of roads that also include roads of the province.ÑAPP