Election schedule after assemblies complete term: Musharraf reaffirms dam plan
RAWALPINDI, May 8: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that the schedule for 2007 elections will be announced on completion of the constitutional tenure of assemblies in November next year and termed the construction of Kalabagh dam the objective of his life.
He was talking to legislators belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and nazims from the districts of Jhang, Bhakkar, Mianwali and Khushab at his camp office on Monday.
Gen Musharraf reiterated that assemblies would complete their constitutional term, saying the chapter of their dissolution before tenure completion had been closed. He said the assemblies faced no threat whatsoever.
“No snap elections will be held. Government and assemblies will complete their tenure in November 2007. Election schedule will also be announced in that month,” he added.
He directed the legislators and nazims to work out a strategy to improve the performance in elections. He also asked them to accelerate the pace of war on development projects and serve people in their constituencies and districts.
PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi were among those attended the meeting.
Ruling out any change in the PML leadership, Gen Musharraf reiterated that Chaudhry Shujaat would continue as the party president and added that the party would launch its election campaign and contest the polls under his (Chaudhry Shujaat’s) leadership.
During the meeting, a number of the legislators and nazims spoke against each other. Taking notice of the rift, the president directed them to get united and asked Chaudhry Shujaat to resolve differences among party leaders in various districts.
The nazims also complained against the provincial government. The president directed the Punjab leadership to ensure better coordination and effective cooperation with local governments.
Referring to the Kalabagh dam issue, Gen Musharraf said the dam would be built by taking all provinces into confidence.
“Construction of Kalabagh dam is the objective of my life. I hope people of NWFP and Sindh will not oppose this dam. Kalabagh dam will be constructed by taking the people of NWFP and Balochistan into confidence,” he said.
He held that the foundation-stone of Bhasha dam had already been laid to protect the country against future water crisis. He warned that the country would face a grave crisis if major water reservoirs were not built over the next 20 years.
He underscored that the completion of development projects initiated by the present government would provide relief to people.
“I will fulfil whatever pledge I made with the nation,” he said.
He maintained that the reform process would continue so that the country could be put on the path of development and stability.
The president observed that democracy was strong and democratic institutions were functioning well in the country.
The PML legislators and leaders assured Gen Musharraf that they would leave no stone unturned to re-elect him as president.
Federal minister Sumaira Malik, minister of state Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, MNA Saima Akhtar Bharwana, Punjab minister for revenue Gul Hameed Rokri, district nazim Mianwali Obaidullah Shadikhel and nazims of Jhang and Khushab also attended the meeting.
