Musharraf Inaugurates Rs 3.5Bln Northern Bypass Project
'Pakistan Times' Sindh Bureau

KARACHI: President Pervez Musharraf Monday inaugurated the 56- Kms long Mega Northern Bypass project completed at a cost of Rs 3.5 billion and said it would not only help ease the traffic problem in Karachi but also provide a boost to the already growing economy.

Addressing a ceremony on this occasion, the President pointed out that the economy is growing satisfactorily and this fact is reflective in public sector development projects costing Rs 520 billion as against Rs 80 billion which used to be spent in the past on this count.

“If this amount is utilised prudently, I see no reason why Pakistan should not progress and move forward”, the President said.

He pointed out that if there would be destabilisation in the country, it could be because of extremism and terrorism which should not take place while destabilisation on the political scene can create difficulties and economic surge can take a downward turn which he would not allow to occur.

He announced in an unequivocal term that he would not allow destabilisation in the country.

“Democracy will continue to move forward and elections are to take place, but there should not be destabilisation and I would not allow it”, the President declared.

General Pervez Musharraf reiterated that forthcoming elections would be fair and transparent but whosoever would attempt to create destability he will have to come across him first.

Congratulating NHA and NLC Engineers and Technicians on the successful accomplishment of this mega project, the President said that construction of Northern Bypass will ease traffic pressure within the city.

He pointed out that Karachi has a unique position for its being the gateway of Pakistan and a link of Pakistan with the rest of the world and, therefore, it is most essential that the city has an effective communication network within to facilitate South to North traffic movement.

“Whatever is done for Karachi will not be too much, particularly peace and harmony here is essential for economic growth of Pakistan and South to North traffic management”.

The President said after this Bypass, another mega Lyari Expressway project will also see completion soon.

He pointed out that South-bound Expressway will be completed in a month or two and he will perform its inauguration. After the completion of North-bound expressway it would serve like Canal Road of Lahore providing access to all the city areas.

President General Pervez Musharraf said whatever is being done for Karachi, is being done to improve the conditions here in respect of traffic, road network, underpasses and flyovers.

He said the traffic has registered a tremendous growth so much so the production of cars has increased from 30,000 to 3 lac per annum and that of motorcycles from 80,000 to 9 lac per annum and this traffic growth has necessitated the construction of new roads, flyovers and under-passes for which the City and Provincial governments are working together.

He specially referred to signal-free corridor-I having three under-passes and three flyovers and recalled its inauguration by him.

He said the City Government has planned similar corridor-II from Nagan Chowrangi to Sharea Faisal and a important link road to Airport from the University Town, linking of Qasba to City by providing access after cutting the hills.

The President said electricity is the one area which has to be corrected.

He said sometimes it displeases him as to why this area is not improving and he is alive to this issue. He said he had a briefing from its Chairman at Islamabad also.

He pointed out that three issues are linked with this problem. One the generation which is not a big problem, secondly transmission down to Grid Station which is again not a big problem and thirdly distribution which is the problem area.

He observed that some 3000 transformers and Grid stations are over-loaded and at times they burst which leads to load-shedding for 3-4 hours. He said there is no shortage of electricity, the problem lies with the distribution.

President Pervez Musharraf said overall communication plan is to have linkage of Karachi and Gawadar Ports with China, Afghanistan and Iran. He said South to North Motorway, National Highway, Indus Highway and RCD Highway are leading towards these countries.

He pointed out that high standard roads have been constructed in Chitral, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Kaghan in the Northern areas and people can now easily move to these areas.

He said that from Lawari Tunnel, people can go from Peshawar to Chitral and switch to Gilgit, to Hunza and on to Skardu and Kaghan.

He said all this would help generate economic and trade activities.

President General Pervez Musharraf said railway is also being upgraded and being dualised upto Peshawar.

Earlier Federal Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqi presented the welcome address and gave a detailed outline of the communication network being laid througout the length and breadth of the country.

He informed that by the year 2011, road construction projects costing Rs 220 billion would be completed.

The ceremony was attended by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat- ul- Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Corps Commander 5-Corps, Chairman NHA Maj Gen Imtiaz, Provincial Ministers, Advisors, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil, MNAs, MPAs, Senators and Town Nazims.

Earlier the President inaugurated the Bypass by unveiling the plaque and was given a briefing about the project.

Briefing by Industries Minister

According another report, the President has emphasised the need for acceleration of the process of industrialisation as it contributes towards poverty alleviation and reduction in unemployment.

He expressed these views during a briefing by the Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Jehangir Khan Tarin, on Sindh Initiatives at the Chief Minister House here on Monday.

Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, and Chief Minister, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, were also present on the occasion.

The President called for industrialisation to create more jobs and urged that the setting up of industries must be facilitated.

He pointed out that for industrialisation, the acquisition of land has remained a problem which should be resolved in an effective manner.

Gen. Musharraf said the concentration on establishment of industry in Pakistan has been focused with the basic aim of poverty alleviation.

He informed that this is the sector which creates most of the employment opportunities.

The President emphasised that in the process of industrialisation, the private sector should be involved for provision of the required infrastructure.

He said the local as well as foreign investors should be fully encouraged.

Gen. Musharraf highlighted the significance of the industrial areas such as Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad with which our future is linked.

He also referred to his meeting with the then Premier of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Muhammad, who informed him that in Malaysia free land is given to those who want to establish industry there.

The President pointed out that in the country there is a gap between policy formulation and implementation and said that what is discussed should also come on the ground and that there should be an effective monitoring.

He said the very purpose of devising the local government system was also to help bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

Gen. Musharraf said he is encouraged regarding the development work that has been undertaken and added that we have to work hard.

He also spoke of the federal government’s plan of setting up urban clinics which would be on union council level.

The President said doctors would be deployed there and selected medicines would be available and remarked that this would be a real service to the poor.

He stated that fishermen be provided with money for modification of their boats for having proper preservation facilities so that the fish that go waste after catch could be saved.

Gen. Musharraf said the people in the rural areas be provided with necessary information to help improve the yield of their crops.

He stated that there is a need to convince the people to improve the quality of the livestock.●