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Govt trying to eliminate budget deficit: CE

MOHENJODERO: The Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, said on Tuesday that his government was trying hard to convert budget deficit into surplus, and added that debt burden has been released from national economy through rescheduling.

He was responding to the queries of the newsmen at Cadet College, Larkana, near Mohenjodero, some 26 kilometres from here, after laying the foundation-stone of College Auditorium to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 8 million.

He said it was a good sign that economic activities were revived in the country and the revenue collections was being improved by expanding tax base.

General Musharraf said: "Corrupt persons are being expelled all over the country and Sindh is no exception. This practice is being followed everywhere in the world to get rid of corrupts."

He said that corruption had crippled all the institutions in the country.

About amendment in the Constitution of 1973, the Chief Executive said that there was no such move under consideration. "I will not take any such move myself but such a matter may be looked into by forming constitutional commission, he added.

He said the involvement of foreign hand could not be ruledout in the recent bomb blasts in the country.

He said that he was going to Kabul to meet the chief of Taleban government, Mulla Omer, to evolve a strategy for eliminating terrorism and matters would also be discussed to establish peace in Afghanistan.

Musharraf said that electoral reforms "are being introduced", to block the way for corrupt people in national politics, though it was difficult to bring about effective check.

He said corruption prevailed all over the country and it was the endeavour of the government to ensure election of honest persons.

The Chief Executive said that signing of CTBT was not connected with the visit of US President Bill Clinton, and added that national consensus would be obtained in this regard.

On invitation to visit Larkana Press Club by journalists, the Chief Executive expressed his wish to meet the newsmen of Sindh and called upon them to keep national interests intact in their reports.

Sindh Governor Daudpota, Corps Commander Sindh, Lt. General Hussain Usmani, GOC Pano Akil Cantt. Major General Fahim Akhtar Khan, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Shafqat Hussain Jamote, Provincial Food and Agriculture Iftikhar Ahmed Soomro, Principal, Cadet College, Larkana, Professor S M Yusuf were also present on the occasion.ÑAPP