ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Wednesday that completion of mega projects, worth Rs260 billion, in the next three years would be helpful in achieving all-round economic development.

"We have taken major decisions to generate funds for timely completion of all projects," he told newsmen after attending an in-depth presentation on the pace of work on mega projects at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on most of the projects and said they were meant to pass benefits of recent economic achievements to the people.

Planning Commission deputy chairman updated the president about 18 major projects, which included Lyari Expressway, Karachi Northern Bypass, Mekran Coastal Highway, Gwadar-Khuzdar-Rato Dero Road, Gwadar Deepsea Port, Karachi Bulk Water Supply, Quetta Water Supply and Environmental Improvement, Thar Coal, Mangla Dam Raising, Mirani Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Greater Thal Canal, Kachhi Canal, Rainee Canal, Balochistan Effluent Disposal RBOD and Extension of RBOD from Sehwan to sea.

The president said most of these projects would be on ground in the next three years and would help alleviate poverty through new job opportunities. President Musharraf said that the economic policies had already started yielding results in agricultural, industrial and IT sectors.

Earlier, in his remarks, during the presentation, the president underlined that work on micro projects under local government and elected representatives be also actualized for across-the-board development.

Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Minister for Communication Babur Ghauri, Minister for Water and Power, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Minister for Petroleum, Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor, Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Balochistan Governor Awais Ahmed Ghani, and Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim were also present on the occasion. -APP