DADU, Feb 1: President General Pervez Musharraf announced on Tuesday that the Rs80 billion special loan package for farmers would be increased to Rs150 billion in a few years. He was addressing MPAs, MNAs and nazims at the residence of Federal Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi at the Betto Jatoi village.

The president said that earlier only one bank was giving loans to farmers and the amount earmarked was only Rs30 million, but now Rs80 billion had been allocated for the purpose and all banks had been asked to give the loan.

He said that Rs66 billion had been allocated for watercourses in the country, and most of the funds would be used in Sindh. He said a committee had been constituted to monitor the work on watercourses and he himself headed the committee.

He said that after three years, he would visit Sindh and other parts of the country particularly to check construction of watercourses. he president said that the cotton production had touched a record 10 million bales mark last year and was optimistic that it would increase to 15 million bales next year.

He expressed the hope that wheat production would also go up next year. Referring to the water crisis in the country, Gen Musharraf said arrangements needed to be made to provide sufficient quantities of water for agriculture.

He said that Sindh was receiving its full share of water but its distribution management needed to be streamlined. Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, he said, was trying to ensure fair distribution of water.

The president said that work on raising the Mangla Dam was continuing and Sindh would get more water from it. He said any decision taken by him would be in the interest of the Sindhi people and their province.

He said that the army was from among the people, and 400 officers from Sindh were serving in the army. These officers were appointed after he took over as army chief in 1998.

He said Sindh should not support those elements which were carrying out a propaganda campaign against the armed forces. He said that the Left Bank Outfall Drain project being carried out under the supervision of the army would be completed soon.

He said a power plant of 600MW capacity would be set up in Thar and railway tracks would be laid up to Thar. Work on the Chotiari Dam has been completed, while six canals will be built from the Sehwan barrage.

Gen Musharraf advised people to elect good nazims in the local government elections to be held this year. He announced a Rs100 million development package for Dadu district and said it would be used for power projects, schools, hospitals, water supply schemes and roads. The minister for water also spoke on the occasion. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim attended the meeting.

CHALLENGES: Meanwhile, addressing troops at the Hyderabad Garrison, the president said that Pakistan was fully capable of meeting external and internal challenges and it was fast moving on the path of development.