Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, federal and provincial ministers, advisers to Chief Minister, members of provincial assembly and nazims of various districts were present on the occasion.
Expressing his views, the President said the purpose of such meetings is to create awareness about what is being done in these important sectors and have co-ordination so as to do more for the good of the masses.
Musharraf said the focus on providing electricity, gas and clean drinking water is to help improve the living conditions of the people, adding the briefings today in these sectors were also aimed at assessing the achievements as well as ground realities and the future plans in these areas.
President said he would like to know as to what is being done in the education and health sectors- the ground realities.
With regard to the target for provision of electricity, he said all villages with more than 10 households would have to be electrified by December 2007. As far as gas is concerned, the target is all district and tehsil headquarters. For clean drinking water, there should be a filtration plant at every union council by December 2007.
Musharraf pointed out that the country's economy has revived and stressed that improvement in this vital area has to be transformed into "public gain". He said the focus should be on poverty alleviation, unemployment control as well as checking prices and inflation.
Musharraf said the standard of living of the people should be enhanced and they be provided with basic utilities like electricity, gas and clean drinking water.
He also laid stress on bringing about improvement in human resource through quality education and better health facilities. The President pointed out that the United Nations has also come up with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and added that we should try to remain ahead of the deadline set by the UN for achieving these MDGs.
Referring to the briefing by Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Tariq Hameed, he said the process of electrification has increased manifold. Musharraf appreciated the good work being done by Wapda in this respect.
He said for provision of electricity to all by the year 2007, first power should be made available to villages with 100 and 50 houses respectively and later to villages with 10 houses can be covered.
Referring to the briefing by Chief Executive Officer of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Frank Scherschmidt, the President said the total demand of electricity in the metropolis is 2,300 MW and deficiency at the moment is 100 to 200 MW. He said the problems pertain to generation as well as distribution.
He pointed out that there is a big industrial backlog and asked how the demand for 900-MW additional power will be met if by June next the demand increases from 2,300 MW to 3,200 MW. The President said we were striving for enhancement in the generation of electricity.
Musharraf said by June next the generation of electricity would be about 3,100-MW with the addition of 800-MW but the shortage would remain between 100 to 200 MW, However, the industrial backlog would be cleared by then to a great extent. He said by 2007-08 we would be able to meet the electricity demand.
Musharraf pointed out that KESC is planning to invest a sum of Rs 22 billion to streamline the system. He was of the view that KESC should be supported in its efforts and be encouraged.
The President also pointed out that the production of vehicles in the country has risen to about 200,000 units annually. He said with the boost in economy and seven to eight percent growth rate the people now have money and are purchasing cars and motorcycles.
Musharraf said the biggest indicator of development is the energy requirement whose demand is on an increase in the country and the government was taking steps to meet this demand.
He said Pakistan would acquire gas from Iran through pipeline and that the matter regarding the pricing formula is being sorted out.
He described Pakistan as the centre of "connectivity" in this region.
He said the Thar coal can be gasified and can be used for generation of electricity.
He was of the view that gas should be used for generation of electricity rather than oil and alternate sources like windmill might also be used for curtailing expenses. Nuclear option for generation of electricity also incurs same expenses as of gas or coal, Musharraf said, adding this would help save the consumption of oil which will also help curtail the import bill.
The President further said privatisation is the way forward. We were thinking of corporatisation of Wapda and later on privatisation of this organisation, he said.
The President said he would address the nation on August 14 and would spell out the vision ahead.
On the occasion President also discussed the Hudood Ordinance and said that we will have to understand it and see that amendments can be made according to the Islamic injunctions. He said the assemblies should discuss and make decision regarding this. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, called on the President at the CM House.