ISLAMABAD, May 25: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday called for projecting Pakistan as a progressive and open-minded modern country.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the 'National Monument' at Shakarparian hill, he said Pakistan was misperceived as a country of extremists and militancy.

The president said he hoped the monument would depict Pakistan's true picture of a progressive and open-minded modern nation, imbued with the power to protect its sovereignty.

The monument has been dedicated to those who sacrificed their today for a better tomorrow. The president said that unlike other monuments commemorating the concept of Pakistan and the advent of Muslims in the sub-continent, this one "reflects the living culture and aspirations of the people of Pakistan".

"The theme of the monument is permanent in nature and is for all times to come," he said and added that it would show to the world and visiting dignitaries the true and softer face of Pakistan.

"We should show to the world what Pakistan stands for and present its softer face, that we know architecture, we know art and music," he said. A national ethnological museum is a part of the museum.

The president said the museum, to be inaugurated on Aug 14, would tell people and international visitors about the country's heroes and the richness of its culture.

"Pakistan will be shown in its true colours - a progressive, tolerant, open-minded modern nation that also possesses the power to protect its citizens against anyone who dares to challenge us," he said.

"This was the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam and we will continue to transform this mighty vision into reality," he said. The monument is scheduled to be completed by March 23, 2006, with an estimated cost of Rs387.8 million and will be visible from all routes approaching the capital.

Its design is of a flower with four petals representing the provinces, each rising 55ft high, arching concave over the crescent and star. Flower petals cast in fibreglass with a veneer of marble will have murals and artwork depicting the country's cultural diversity.