SHANDUR, July 9: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday that the country was more stable militarily and economically than ever before, but it faced internal hazards like growing extremism, intolerance and vandalism.

Addressing a public meeting here at the conclusion of the Shandur Festival, he urged people to reject extremist elements spreading hatred.

“In the forthcoming local body elections, elect those who are honest and peace-loving and give a crushing defeat to the ‘hypocrites’ who are bent upon destroying peace and harmony on one pretext or the other,” he said.

He said the economy had grown strong and he had brought Pakistan out of isolation. He said Pakistan had gained an important position in the Ummah and among other nations.

He said there were some technical problems in early start of work on the Lowari tunnel but it would be inaugurated before October.

The president announced a grant of Rs20 million for the construction of a suspension bridge at Mastuj to connect Chitral with the Northern Areas.

He announced a grant of Rs30 million for rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by snowfall and rains in the area and Rs10 million for the construction of a stadium in Chitral.

He urged people to ensure peace and harmony so that tourism could be promoted in the area.

APP adds: The president told the public gathering at Shandur that the government was following a comprehensive strategy for poverty reduction through employment generation and sustainable economic development at the grassroots.

“Having achieved economic stability, the government has assigned top priority to poverty reduction, generation of employment opportunities and provision of health and education facilities to the common man,” he said.

He announced that loans of up to Rs25,000 given to local farmers would be written off and a utility store established in Chitral within a month.