He said in these projects it was envisaged that various corporations and organisations, which use the roads of the city, should also play a part in their development and improvement. He said that on that occasion he had requested such bodies to contribute their bit towards the betterment of this metropolis, improvement of its roads and betterment of the traffic arrangements here.
The President said that he was happy to announce that all had agreed to this and initiated steps for their contributions.
He said that "we all are aware of the problems of Karachi", and added that owing to growing population the traffic here is also increasing, which is leading to congestion. So, he said, there was need to remove this congestion to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the metropolis.
The President pointed out that during rains in the city the roads also get damaged and the system of traffic deteriorates further. He recalled that the idea of roads rehabilitation came to the fore in view of this situation and it was stated that the federal, provincial and district governments would contribute their share in bringing about the required improvements in the infrastructure, and the organisations which also use the city roads should also be part of such an initiative.
"Karachi is the city of all of us, and it is our social obligation to come up with our contributions for the betterment of this metropolis", General Musharraf remarked.
In this connection he cited the example of Sialkot where the industrial community started repairing and improving the roads and now that city is a beautiful place.
The General said that the example to this effect, which has been set in Sialkot and Karachi, should also be followed in other cities of the country.
He said there was no doubt that the government has a responsibility to this effect but when resources are limited then there is no harm in extending co-operation and sharing the work.
The President said that semi-government organisations and corporations possess sufficient funds and there is no use of keeping the money in banks, and it should be utilised for the betterment of people.
He particularly mentioned the role of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and of its Chairman, Vice-Admiral Ahmed Hayat. He said that KPT has taken up the project of three-tier fly-over at 'Hino Chowk' which is the first of its kind in Pakistan.
Referring to the KPT project of development and rehabilitation of the road from Mai Kolachi to 'Submarine Chowk' the President said it would be a significant contribution towards improving the flow of traffic in the area.
The President said the development and rehabilitation of M T Khan Road from 'Jinnah Bridge' to 'PIDC House Bridge' would also improve the traffic flow.
PORT TOWER COMPLEX: The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is coming up with 1,500-foot high port tower complex.
This was stated by President General Pervez Musharraf, while speaking as the chief guest at the groundbreaking ceremony of the development and rehabilitation of Mai Kolachi and M.A. Jinnah Roads here on Friday.
The President said this would be a monumental structure for the city of Karachi.
He pointed out that this port tower complex would be the tallest in Asia, and further stated that it would be 50-foot higher than the Petronas Towers in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
He also said this complex would be among one of the 10 tallest buildings in the world.
The President opined that these were symbolic things. "We have to project that Pakistan is a big country. We are on the rise, we are moving ahead. We are a forward moving dynamic nation," he said.
He said: "I am very glad that we are coming up with such a building."
President Musharraf was optimistic that the earth breaking of this project would be performed by next month.
Later on, the construction work of this project would be taken up speedily.
President Musharraf was sure that with the dynamism exhibited by the Minister for Port and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, the complex project would go ahead rapidly.
He also pointed towards the construction of the port water jet in the Arabian Sea near Oyster Rocks, which is going to be the tallest in the world.
General Musharraf said the work on this would commence soon and that the project would be inaugurated on August 14 next year elected representatives. President Pervez Musharraf said the present government has launched a number of mega projects, which will bring progress and prosperity for the people of Sindh.
He said the people in the province should know about what the present government is doing for them and in this regard the elected representatives in the government has to play a major role.
He was addressing the elected representatives including Senators, MNAs, MPAs besides the office-bearers and workers of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League at the Chief Minister House here.
Sindh Chief Minister and President, Sindh PML Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Sindh Revenue Minister and General Secretary, Sindh PML Imtiaz Shaikh flanked the President at the dais.
The President especially referred to implementation of multi-billion rupees projects of Right Bank Outfall Drain, Rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage, Left Bank Outfall Drain and the planned Sehwan Barrage with six canals and other projects.
He said that condition of Sukkur Barrage had become so perilous that he had to ask Army for its rehabilitation. If repair of the barrage had not been taken up immediately, it would have caused an irreparable loss. He said the Army has in fact saved Sindh by involving it in rehabilitation of this strategic barrage.
He recalled the destruction brought by torrential rains in Badin district last year and inundation of vast tracts of land due to breaches in the Left Bank Outfall Drain
He said that when examined, it came to light that there had been designing defects in the drain and there, too, Army has been engaged to rectify the faults and bring improvement in the system.
President Pervez Musharraf also referred to another issue of fishermen versus the Rangers in Badin district and pointed out that on his intervention, the contract of fish catch has been withdrawn from the Rangers and now this right has been restored to people of Badin.
The government, he said, believes that it is for the people to use their area resources and it was in this context that the right of fish catch was restored to people after withdrawing the same from the Rangers.
Meanwhile, Presidents Pervez Musharraf has said that Muslim League, as founding party of Pakistan, will complete its 100 years in 2006 and this occasion should be celebrated in a befitting manner.
On the occasion,, the President declared that general elections will be held in the year 2007 and there should be no doubt in the mind of anyone.
The President also spoke on the issue of water and said that the system of water distribution for irrigation has to be set right.
Pointing out that issue of water is grave for Pakistan and more for Sindh, the President told the meeting that he consider himself as from Sindh and he will be the last person to do a thing which will not be in the interest of the province.
He said that the country needs dams and dams need to be constructed but which one first, has not yet been decided.
He said that Bhasha Dam can also be constructed but in order to carry machinery and equipment to the Dam site, the 250 km stretch of Karakoram Highway, which is a wonder of the world and in which several lives were lost during construction, will have to be widened and this can take three to six years.
He said when the dam will be completed some 150 km of road will come under water. He said electricity to be supplied from Bhasha Dam will suffer transmission losses when it is brought through the mountainous ranges.
He said that one can judge the time and money involved in it, although the dam is essentially to be constructed.
He said that by the year 2010 the country will face 5 million acre feet of water shortage which will further increased by the time the dam is ready by the year 2025.
On the occasion the President also handed a note of caution against extremism - both religious and sectarian.
He said that, extremism has already caused harm to Pakistan and the country needs to be led on the path of moderation.
He said Pakistan will assume the leadership only when the Islamic Ummah will recognise it as a moderately stronger state having a futuristic approach.
He said that collective efforts are needed to check extremism and feelings of hatred against each other.
"We all are Muslims and should follow the vision that was given by Quaid-e-Azam".
He said there is no doubt that we should perform Huqooqullah, but at the same time, should also perform Huqooqul Ebad.
NAIMAT'S CONTRIBUTIONS: President General Pervez Musharraf has commended the contribution of the Nazim of City District Government Karachi, Naimatullah Khan, for the development process of the metropolis.
He was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of groundbreaking of development and rehabilitation of Mai Kolachi and M.A. Jinnah roads.
The president told the gathering the original idea of Karachi Package was put forward by Naimatullah Khan.
"Let me put the record straight. Naimatullah Saheb had suggested to me that there is a way of doing this," he further pointed out.
General Musharraf said then he thought of coming to Karachi and convening a meeting of all the stakeholders, like Karachi Port Trust, Pakistan Steel Mills, Export Promotion Bureau and the bankers etc.
He said: "Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan also joined in the discussion and we decided that the meeting of all the stakeholders be convened at a single place the Governor House here in Karachi."
President Musharraf said that he informed the Nazim Karachi that he would come next month and that "Naimatullah should come up with a presentation at the place where the corporations are located and the roads they are using, they would be asked to bring about improvements of these and if need be then construct the flyovers etc."
"That was the origination of this very idea," he added, while referring to the evolution of the idea of Karachi Package.