Next Budget to Bring Qualitative Change in People's Life: Musharraf
By Nida Butt 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf Monday assured that the forthcoming federal budget would be a catalyst for bringing about a qualitative change in the life of the poor and ensuring fast track economic development of the country.

He was addressing the 10th meeting of National Security Council at NSC Secretariat in Islamabad.

The President said that through a comprehensive strategy poverty would be further brought down and enormous job opportunities would be created through a record Public Sector Development Programme. He said massive economic development activities would be generated as a result of record budgetary allocations on various development projects.

President Musharraf said that the country has achieved a record economic growth and underlined the need for transferring the economic benefits especially to the people at the grass roots level.

He said the budget for the next fiscal year would ensure that low income strata of the society benefits from the budget. He said special measures would be taken to ensure the availability of essential items on subsidized rates to the people.

The President said that steps are being taken to control price hike, especially for the items of daily consumption, in order to providing relief to the common man. He said necessary measures would also be undertaken to check inflationary trends.

The President emphasized that the salaries and pensions for the government employees would be enhanced in the next budget. This would be the fourth time increase in the salaries and pensions during the tenure of the present government which is unprecedented.

He said the next federal budget would have a record Public Sector Development Programme which would set the country on the path of massive economic development leading to increased industrial production and ensuring more job opportunities.

The President emphasized the need for continuity and consistency of policies to take Pakistan to higher degree of progress and prosperity.

He lamented that certain elements were trying to politicize purely constitutional and legal issues and the people of Pakistan will not pay any heed to their propaganda.

The meeting reviewed in detail the law and order situation particularly in FATA and in settled districts of the NWFP. The Council also took stock of the incidents of suicide attacks, harassment of the people by the extremists and measures needed to overcome them.

Presentation by Sherpao

Minister for Interior Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao gave presentation on internal security situation with focus on spread of militancy to settled districts adjoining tribal areas.

The NSC agreed to draw up a multi-pronged strategy to deal with the menace of terrorism and extremism and create opportunities for employment for the youth, especially in FATA and NWFP.

President Musharraf underlined the need for involvement of the moderate forces and elected representatives to deal with the menace of extremism and terrorism.

He underscored that those indulging in acts of suicide attacks, harassment and threats were enemies of the people and the country. He warned that the government would not allow such elements to take the law in their hand.

The President expressed his concern over increase in the incidents of suicide attacks, extremism and militancy and un-hindered movement of militants to settled areas.

He vowed that with the support and cooperation of the people, these anti-social and anti-state elements would be eliminated. He directed that the militants must be taken head on, security of vital places be beefed up and activities of suspected elements be strictly monitored.

General Pervez Musharraf also assured the NWFP Government that strength of police force would be enhanced and it would be provided with the facilities like transport and equipment on priority basis. He said that the ban on display and brandishing of weapons must be implemented in letter and spirit. The President said the illegal FM Radio stations working in FATA must be located and blocked.

The Governor NWFP Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai briefed the meeting about steps being taken to maintain the writ of the government and the law and order in the province. He said strict action would be taken against certain hardened criminal elements taking refugees in the guise of fundamentalist.

The NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani gave an overview of the measures taken by the provincial government to curb extremism and terrorism.

He said there is a close coordination between him and the NWFP Governor secretariat. He urged the federal government for enhancing support and assistance it is already providing to the provincial administration in fighting the menace.

The NWFP Chief Minister said administrative and political measures are being taken in line with the directives of President General Pervez Musharraf to deal with the situation.

The Chief Minister referred to various incidents of violence in Tank and D. I. Khan and said that administrative steps have been taken to improve the situation.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Speaker National Assembly Chaudhary Amir Hussein, Chief Ministers of the Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan, Governor NWFP, Federal Ministers for Interior, Religious Affairs, Commerce, and Education, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, and concerned officials.

As the NSC took up the issues of budget for the next financial year and the issue of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive manner, the other two presentations regarding streamlining of Madaris and Reconstruction Opportunities Zones were deferred for the next NSC meeting.

PM on Budget

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said the forthcoming budget will be relief and development oriented and it would help achieve our vision to create a developed and prosperous Pakistan.

Talking to groups of parliamentarians who called on him here the Prime Minister said the government is working for rapid and sustainable development and equitable growth where benefits of growth reach all sections of society and the development work undertaken by the government during the last seven years have brought substantial improvement in the rural and urban areas of the country.

He said high growth, decline in unemployment and higher allocations by the government on poverty related projects have contributed to 10.6 percentage point decline in absolute poverty.

The poverty head count, which was 34.4 percent in 2001, came down to 23.9 percent in 2005. The distinct feature is that the rural poverty has declined at a higher peace than the urban poverty. As against 7.8 percentage point reduction in urban poverty during 2001-05, the rural poverty declined by 11.2 percentage point, the Prime Minister said.

He said during the period 2001 to 2006, the country has spent close to Rs. 1,480 billion public resources on social sector and poverty-related programmes and the ongoing reforms in social sector and social protection would further improve country's social indicators and help reduce poverty.

The Prime Minister said while all social sector indicators are showing an upward trend the government is not complacent and will continue to make efforts to bring further improvements.

The challenge is to eliminate inequalities in income, reduction in rural poverty, exit strategy for poor and targeted interventions for poor and destitute, he added.

The Prime Minister said Muslim League led the struggle for the creation of Pakistan. Today it is the only national party of the country. The government of PML and its allies will continue to work for unity and development of the country, he said.

The Prime Minister said PML and allies will contest the next elections from one platform on the basis of their performance in office and "we are confident of our success".

The parliamentarians said the current growth momentum needs to be maintained through continuity and consistency of policies.

The members of the delegations condemned statements by certain opposition parties against state institutions and said the sanctity and respect of national institutions which are asset for the country will be maintained at all cost.

They said any statement or remark against the armed forces should be considered a conspiracy against the country.

The Parliamentarians said the freedom enjoyed by media today has no precedence in the country's history. The media should keep in mind the sovereignty and repute of state institutions to build a healthy and harmonious society.

The members of delegations included MNAs Ch. Muhammad Asim Nasir, Ch. Muhammad Safdar Shakir, Rana Asif Tauseef, Dewan Syed Jaffar Hussain Bukhari and Rai Azizullah. Special Assistant to PM Khalil-ur-Rehman was also present.●