KARACHI, April 29: Terming President Pervez Musharraf’s public meeting in Karachi as ‘unprecedented’ in the recent past, the city government Acting Nazim, Tariq Hasan, said that the enthusiasm and unity demonstrated by Karachiites in the meeting was ample proof that they wanted continuation of the President’s policies.

Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, he said that the large turnout of people and workers of political and religious parties in the meeting, despite the act of the gruesome murders of Muttahida’s former legislators that had turned the city’s environment gloomy on the eve of the President’s public address, was a slap on the face of those who wanted to sabotage the meeting by indulging in such a heinous crime.

He said that the unity demonstrated by several political parties and people from different walks of life will, on the one hand, bring an end to confrontational politics and, on the other, ensure peace and tranquillity in the metropolis.

Paying tributes to Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Sunni Tehrik, Tehrik-i-Insaf, Millat Party, Awami Tehrik, PML (QA) and others for making the meeting a grand success, he hoped that all political and religious parties and other sections of the society will cast their votes in the referendum to elect President Musharraf for another five years, so that the reforms initiated by him for economic revival, progress and prosperity of the country could continue unhindered.

About the arrangements made to facilitate voters at the polling stations on referendum day, the Acting Nazim said that he was constantly in touch with Sindh Governor, Mohammedmian Soomro, in this regard and would accompany the governor in visiting the polling stations to ensure that the voters do not face any hardships while exercising their right.

Referring to the laying of the foundation stone of the city’s 100 mgd K-III water project, Lyari Expressway and Northern Bypass by the President during his stay in the city, he said that these projects and others relating to transport and parks, on completion, will bring relief to Karachiites.

At the outset, he thanked Mohammedmian Soomro, Corps Commander Tariq Wasim Ghazi, Nazims of towns and union councils, city police and administration for organizing such a successful rally.

He said that he would personally meet the leaders of political and religious parties and others whose participation had made the event successful.