President Pervez Musharraf said here on Monday that the country has witnessed rapid development in all sectors, including industrial and agriculture, while federal and provincial financial resources have been enhanced substantially due to better economic policies, which have resulted in promoting trade activities in the country.
Addressing the opening ceremony of Rs 19 billion 'Lahore Ring Road' project here, the President said that Punjab, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, was also moving forward in executing developmental projects, "which is unprecedented in the history of the country".
Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, Minister for Communication and Works Zaheer-ud-Din and District Nazim Amer Mahmood were also present on the occasion.
Musharraf said that the 60-km long Ring Road would ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic for Lahore and other cities of the province. He hoped that the project would be executed with the same speed as that of the Lahore underpasses. He lauded the services of Pervaiz Elahi for initiating reformatory programmes in education, health, agriculture and other sectors apart from introducing computerised monitoring system in the province. He also appreciated the network of basic health units (BHUs) in the province. He said that New Murree City project, initiated by Pervaiz Elahi would attract a large number of national and international tourists.
He said that 'Bab-e-Pakistan' project would be inaugurated near Walton in March. He said the pace of industrialisation under public-private partnership was getting impetus to combat unemployment in the province. He expressed satisfaction over performance of provincial administrative machinery and held out assurance and support to the leadership of Punjab in all respects.
The President said that after conducting foreign tours he would visit Sindh and NWFP to allay fears and objections regarding construction of water reservoirs.
He said that democracy is stable at federal, provincial and district governments' levels. Under democratic set-up, he added, majority is in power and minority is in opposition but the government would continue to focus its attention on progress and development of the country.
Chief Minster Pervaiz Elahi said that Lahore Ring Road project would be completed in two years and it would also benefit Sheikupura, Kasur and other cities of the province. He said this project would link all localities of the City with each other, apart from generating economic activity in Lahore.
He said that the present government, while keeping in view President Musharraf's vision to promote education, has increased education budget manifold. He said that Rs 150 million had been released to all districts to strengthen the education sector.
He said that Sundar Industrial Estate would provide maximum job opportunities to people in the province. Similarly, he said, apart from the recently launched Ambulance Service project; new emergency system has been developed in 11 teaching hospitals of the province.
He said that merit-driven policy is being strictly observed in all departments and resources are being utilised on the basis of Financial Management System.
Highlighting other achievements of his government, he said that Rs 400 million had been allocated in the budget for rehabilitation of disabled persons in the province.
Likewise, the provincial government is making direct legislation instead of relying on ordinances, adding that Punjab government is moving in the right direction to achieve success in all sectors.