RAWALPINDI, Oct 19: President General Pervez Musharraf gave an overview of the domestic environment and spelled out four areas which are and will continue to be his focus: economy, combating militancy and extremism, efforts to sustain democracy, and strengthening national integration.

The president was addressing the Armed Forces Officers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi Garrisons at the Army Auditorium here on Thursday.

He said having revived the country’s economy, the focus is now on sustaining its growth and transferring the benefits to the people.

Combating militancy and curbing extremism in the society is and will continue to be his focus, the president added.

He said: “After having introduced democracy, we have to sustain it and address those areas which lead to its derailment.”

The fourth area of his focus, he added, is to address critical issues which weaken us from within, and strengthen national integration.

Talking about transferring the benefits to the people, President Musharraf said that we have to reduce poverty, control inflation, improve quality of life of the people and improve the quality of human resources.

The president, dilating upon the developments in Balochistan, said that the government has announced an unprecedented development package for the people of the province which has been done for the first time in the country’s history.

He said all efforts were being made to bring Balochistan at par with other provinces.

But at the same time, he said, improvement in the law and order situation is the responsibility of the government.

The president made it clear that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the government at any cost and at any time.

He said extra measures are being introduced for job creation in various Federal Government departments for the people of Balochistan.

In FATA, the president expressed optimism in the ongoing political process under Governor NWFP Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai.

He showed satisfaction on the improvement of the environment in North Waziristan Agency.

He explained the strategies which have been put in place to achieve these goals.

He spoke about the international and regional environment and explained Pakistan’s place in the whole scenario.

He said the world is a common heritage and any sane person would desire to improve it and make it a safer place.

Towards this end, the president emphasized upon the resolution of lingering disputes which are mostly impacting the Muslim Ummah and the role being played by Pakistan in this regard.—APP