President Pervez Musharraf said here on Sunday that now when the country''s economy has stabilised on strong footing it was now poised to focus on three important issues, viz, poverty alleviation, jobs creation, and control on inflation.
"I am going to give my ''Vision Pakistan'' in an address to the nation soon," the President declared amid big applause while inaugurating the Rs 5 billion K-III additional 100-MGD water supply project for Karachi at an impressive ceremony at Dhabeji Pumping Station near here.
The President recalled that there was a time when there used to be only Rs 92 to Rs 95 billion in PSDP, which has now grown to Rs 250 billion, which would be spent on mega development projects to lead the people of Pakistan to the path of progress and prosperity.
Musharraf pointed out that besides poverty alleviation, jobs creation and control on inflation, which would be focused under his ''Vision Pakistan'' by December 2007, each house would be receiving electricity, safe drinking water, and gas.
"I can say with great pride today that the projects, which I had launched in 2000 are now reaching the stage of completion, and their fruits are starting to reach the people at the grassroots level," he said.
The President said that to achieve this objective, a strategy was formulated which was not an easy task, but he worked 15-16 hours daily, whereafter he could know the real problem on which work was started and their fruits were now ripening.
He said, "By December 2007, each village having ten houses will get electricity, and this is my promise to the nation."
The President referred to the supply of unhygienic and contaminated water to the people in Hyderabad and other areas of Sindh. He said this had happened because of disposal of effluent into Manchar Lake.
He said that when the people raised hue and cry, this polluted water was thrown into River Indus during period 1998-1999.
The President said to rid the people of such tragedies, the present government initiated projects of RBOD and LBOD. He announced that by December 2007, with the co-operation of federal, provincial and district governments, water filtration plants would be installed in villages having population of 1000, whereafter every citizen would get mineral-like water.
Musharraf said that in areas where gas cannot be carried through pipes, gas tanks would be installed and filled through Bowsers for onward supply to people.
Similarly, he said, equal attention would be paid to the provision of education and health facilities.
He said that when the rural areas of Sindh would get abundant quantity of gas and electricity, they would enjoy prosperity, "and this is what our future is".
He said, "My ''Vision Pakistan'' will take the country forward and make prosperity reach the grassroots level, and I will do that."
The President said that he was very delighted for inaugurating the 100-MGD K-III project, which has been completed three months ahead of schedule.
He congratulated Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, and Karachi City Nazim Mustafa Kamal and those associated with the project.
The President also congratulated the people of Karachi who, he said, had started receiving "this water from today". The President noted with delight that the City Government had plugged leakages resulting in saving 33 percent of water wastage and now rooting out the tanker mafia which was exploiting the situation and minting money due to water shortage and drawing water through these leakages.
He described the K-III project an ideal example of co-operation between federal, provincial and city governments in its implementation.
The President, referring to the address by Nazim Mustafa Kamal assured that whatever the requirements of Karachi would be met.
He said that earlier his plan was to meet the City Nazim and hold a meeting with him at his office to know about his requirements, but he informed the audience that he had changed his schedule of inaugurating this project which was on May 23 and decided to be here on Sunday in view of the Nazim''s important visit to China "for which he is leaving tonight".
He said that he did not want the Nazim to delay his visit to China because of inauguration of this project.
The President said that on his next visit to Karachi he would meet the Nazim at his office and whatever federal assistance would be required for Karachi would be provided.
He pointed out that the overall federal assistance for mega projects of Karachi, including Lyari Expressway, Northern By-pass and K-III project stood at Rs 20 billion.
"I want improvement in Karachi, as Karachi and Lahore are two main cities of Pakistan; and I want to see that both cities should develop," he said.
Musharraf made a special reference to a number of mega projects launched by him including Gwadar Port started in the year 2001 and said now it is going to be an international port.
The President said that after working on poverty alleviation, jobs creation and inflation control, the work at micro level to strengthen the hands of district governments besides construction of farm to market roads along with promotion of education, lining of canals and construction of watercourses would b taken up.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Ishratul Ibad thanked the President for inaugurating this mega project and said he is witness to the fact that on many occasions during the last 2-3 years, whenever problems came in the way, immediate response was received from the President to have them removed.
He said that every one would orally say that Karachi is the heart of Pakistan, but it was President Pervez Musharraf who practically proved it.
Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim also thanked the President for sparing time from his busy schedule to inaugurate this most important project of Karachi and said the credit for it goes to the President who took personal interest in the project and kept monitoring it till its completion.
Arbab pointed out that Musharraf is taking personal interest in all the projects for Karachi and said he is keen for fast national progress, particularly industrialisation, and prosperity of people. The chief minister appealed to the President on behalf of people to seek re-election and continue working for the cause of Pakistan and Muslim Ummah.
Also present on the occasion were federal and provincial ministers, Corps Commander Lt General Ahsan Hayat, KWSB Managing Director Brigadier Iftekhar Haider, advisers, senior officials of Sindh and City governments.
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