RAWALPINDI, Nov 24: President General Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in the quake-battered areas and development process in the country should move in tandem.

The president said this while chairing a meeting here to review progress on national programme for improvement of water courses in the country.

The president said with the policy for relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the quake-hit areas in place, “there is a need that all other developmental work in the country should move in tandem” and not be affected in any way.

He said the brick lining of water courses “is a very important project” as it would help save water and contribute to introducing and promoting new techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation.

The president stressed upon the role of all tiers of government from top to grassroots in the effort. “The government functionaries have very important role to play for bridging the gap between policy formulation and its effective implementation on the ground.”

He said that he would visit different areas to see himself the progress made on projects in such sectors as education, health, safe drinking water and electricity. These are the president’s special initiatives announced this year.

He asked the authorities to further expedite the execution of ongoing projects as these were in the best national interest.

The participants of the meeting were briefed by Jahangir Tareen, the Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives.

The minister said 86000 water courses were being lined. The provinces were on track to line 20,000 water courses by June 30, 2006.

He said since the bottlenecks had been removed adequately, the process after June 2006 will be further expedited.

Mr Tareen said the main advantages of these projects included the ownership at the highest level, farmer-friendly project design, community-based execution, selection of capable and professionally competent people to execute and support by provincial governments.—APP