20000312

Armed forces

prepared to

thwart any foreign

agression: Musharraf

KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: India cannot intimidate Pakistan by increasing its military might and defence budget; our armed forces are fully prepared to thwart any foreign aggression, said Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf.

He was addressing a public gathering after performing the ground-breaking ceremony for water supply and link road near Faizabad on Saturday evening, under the poverty alleviation programme.

He said India is our deadly enemy and is bent upon to damage Pakistan Ideologically, geographically and economically. He said 140 million people of Pakistan are fully behind their army who are capable to face any foreign aggression.

The Chief Executive said, "We will have to control, streamline our internal affairs, and strengthen our economy, which will finally eliminate any chances of foreign aggression."

He said the previous governments had looted the national exchequer and could not save themselves from across-the-board accountability. The Chief Executive said the process of accountability has been initiated on the demand of people and each penny plundered by the politicians and bureaucrats will be recovered.

He said the process of accountability would be undertaken from top to bottom without creating any problem for the poor and downtrodden segments. He said Pakistan has huge natural resources, which are quite sufficient to turn the country into a strong economic identity.

Musharraf said the local body system would be introduced in the country during this year. Each district would be governed by elected body. The funds generated by the district would be spent on the uplift and development of the same area.

Regarding the poverty alleviation programme the Chief Executive said the World Bank would provide Rs 35 billion. Out of which Rs 15 billion have been released for this year, while second tranche of Rs 20 billion would be released next year. Under this programme, Faisalabad would get Rs 300 millions.

He said the government is attaching great importance to Faisalabad and it is in this context that the poverty alleviation programme is being launched from Faisalabad.

Earlier, the Chief Executive attended a briefing. Planning and Development Division Chairman Tariq Sultan, told the Chief Executive 750-meter-long link road would be completed within estimated cost of Rs 18 million. It would connect Kanak Basti, Saeedabad and Faizabad areas and be completed within next three months.

Similarly, a water supply project is also being undertaken in the area to provide potable drinking water to the local inhibitants.

The estimated cost of this project is Rs 40 million and it would be completed within a period of four months. This project will supply 10 gallons per capita water every day in the first phase, which would be increased to 30 gallons in the later phase.

On this occasion Punjab governor, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Safdar announced a grant of Rs 10 million for the improvement of city parks. Gujranwala, GOC Maj. Gen. Javaid Alam and Brig. Mohammad Aslam, Chairman Faisalabad Electric Supply Company were also present in the briefing.

NEWSMEN BARRED: The security staff earlier refused entry to the Journalists into the Serena hotel where Chief Executive was to address the members of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The entry was denied despite the fact that the journalists possessed not only invitation cards issued by the chamber, but also valid security passes issued by the special branch.