KARACHI, Aug 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has appreciated City Nazim Naimatullah Khan for his dedication and endeavours for the rebuilding of the city’s infrastructure.

“I appreciate your efforts and the transparency you have been maintaining,” the president remarked during a briefing, held at the Governor House here on Thursday, by the Nazim on the impact of recent rains in Karachi.

The Nazim maintained that the city would require Rs20 billion for rebuilding and development of infrastructure and that without an effective infrastructure, Karachi could not be become a city ideal for investment. He said that the city government should be given a free hand with respect to the development work.

Agreeing to the points raised by the Nazim, President Musharraf said that he must get a free hand.

“You are doing a good job and, the governor and chief minister are also sitting here ... you must be allowed a free hand. You must deliver and can deliver,” the president said and added: “Let him deliver and whatever the hurdles in the way, should be removed. I certainly support him.”

President Musharraf pointed out that the system in operation would not move unless the man in the system was given support and backup. Give him the support and backup and let the system move.

He hoped that the city government would generate revenue through plans, like regularization of buildings, and use that money for development of the city.—APP