KARACHI, Aug 26: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Friday local body elections had resulted in the victory of moderates and defeat of extremists everywhere in Pakistan - Sindh, Punjab, Frontier and Balochistan.

Speaking as chief guest after inaugurating the Askari Park at the site of old Sabzi Mandi, he congratulated the people of Karachi and described the park a gift for them in general and the people of the surrounding area in particular.

The president also congratulated the Karachiites for the excellent and peaceful manner in which the elections were held in the metropolis.

He commended the Sindh chief minister, governor, corps commander and the Rangers for their efforts to make the elections a success.

The outcome of the elections in the NWFP was a victory for the moderates and enlightened and defeat for the extremists, President Musharraf said and added the same was true for rest of the country, including Sindh, the Punjab and Balochistan.

“This is an excellent outcome of the local government elections and I commend the people of Karachi for peaceful elections here.”

The president said that in future whoever would be the nazim of Karachi, he would rise to the occasion and ensure that Karachi was transformed into a beautiful city. He was sure that with efforts and dedication, the nazim would be able to do that.

The president pointed out that Karachi needed improved roads, power supply and sanitation systems and safe drinking water in increased quantity, and assured Karachiites that the projects in hand and, hopefully, future projects the city government would take up would address the issues.

As regards the projects in hand, he said, the northern bypass would be completed soon, the Lyari expressway had some problems but it was going forward and the 100MGD water project was in the pipeline and would be taken up and completed next year.

He said as far as sanitation problem was concerned, the governor and chief minister were looking into it.

He said that within a year or maximum one and a half year, the electricity system in Karachi would be improved.

“This is my assurance to the people of Karachi who deserve a better deal than what they had been having in the past.”

Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Corps Commander Lt-Gen Syed Athar Ali, Federal Minister Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghouri, Chairman Senate Committees on Defence and Information Senator Nisar Memon and others were present on the occasion.—APP