QUETTA, Aug 4: President Pervez Musharraf has stressed the need for measures to stop capital outflow and encourage inflows of foreign investment. Peace in the country could rebuild the trust of foreign investors, he added.

Talking to a delegation of businessmen here on Monday, he said that the economy was on a downslide because of the capital flight and unsatisfactory law and order situation in the country.

The president said that the elected government was making efforts to overcome the challenges faced by the country internally and externally. The price hike in oil, wheat and edible oil in the international market was a serious challenge.

Earlier the businessmen informed the president of the negative impact of the higher interest rates and demanded construction of roads and small dams in the province.

The delegation hailed the mega projects being executed in various parts of the province and said that the government must focus on constructing more dams in Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Kalat and Mastung areas.

The delegation demanded extension of trickle irrigation system to other districts, waiver of agricultural loans as announced by him (the president) during his previous visit to the province, an end to load-shedding, setting of an apple treatment plant and Bostan Industrial Zone.

It further demanded proper representation of the traders of the province in foreign delegations and exhibitions, establishment of an expo centre in Quetta and expediting construction work on various highways.

The president assured his full support to the business community. He prayed for the success of the coalition government in the centre and the province and said he would work happily with all those who work for the development and prosperity of the country and Balochistan.

Musharraf advised the business community to invest in power generation and help the government overcome the energy shortage.

He underlined the importance of Kachi Canal Mirani and Sabakzai dams and said that these projects would irrigate more than 0.8 million acres of land. He asked the growers to cultivate wheat, sun flower, cotton, canola and other crops.

The president expressed disappointment over the delay in completion of road projects and mismanagement of funds in Quetta Water Supply Scheme and said that these projects must be completed within the stipulated time.

He called upon the business community and political leaders of the province to unite and foil designs of those elements, which were playing in the hands of foreign forces, and were creating law and order situation in the province.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfikar Ali Magsi, Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa, provincial police officer Saud Gohar and other senior officials were present on the occasion.—APP