President Pervez Musharraf on Monday reiterated his firm resolve to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country in a peaceful environment. Speaking as chief guest at the foundation stone unveiling ceremony of multi-billion rupees signal-free corridor-II at the Governor House, the President also reiterated the government's resolve to root out terrorism.
"We have to break the back of terrorism and extremism and work for sustained economy to make Pakistan stronger and stronger," he declared. "Killing of innocent people at the hands of terrorists and extremists through blasts and suicidal attacks breaks my heart but we have to fight them out," he said, adding that this menace would have to be overcome through force as there was no political solution.
He referred to ongoing anti-terrorist operation in Swat and said it has yielded big success and more will be achieved. "They (militants) will be eliminated," he said and added that the "root causes" would be addressed.
President said he has the resolve and commitment that Pakistan comes first, even if it costs him his popularity. Referring to issue of deposed judges, the President without going into details said, he knew that decision he had taken would have its effects, but he had to take it because it involved serious issues.
In his discourse the President dwelt at length on the problems of Karachi and mentioned new water supply project, solid waste management, mass transit, Lyari Expressway, affluent treatment and other issues including atta shortage and recent violent disturbances.
At the outset of his eloquent address, the President described the ceremony somewhat between earth-breaking and inauguration and said that today another milestone is being achieved. He appreciated the passion with which Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal was working. He said although previous Nazim also worked for development of Karachi with sincerity, but Mustafa Kamal excelled in dynamism and he was observing him since he took over as City Nazim.
The President pointed out that when someone at the lower level, works with a passion, it does prompt the man at the upper level to work with the matching pace. It is reciprocal and Kamal has done an exceptionally good job, the President remarked and said he has never seen work going on such a fast pace in Pakistan.
Observing that Karachi has a lot of problems, more so because of the multi-ethnic character of this mega city, President said that in order to solve these problems the country, first of all, needs economic strength.
With sustained growth in economy, he said, not only funds will continue to be generated but investment will also flow in and our success in this regard became possible because of transformation of economy in which the fiscal deficit was controlled and revenue generation increased.
The President quoted Cotton Export Corporation and Rice Export Corporation as two examples of incurring losses, and said that during transformation of economy these were controlled and expenses cut down and remittances and investments increased.
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