RAWALPINDI, April 7: President Pervez Musharraf has stressed the need for providing maximum opportunities to youths and volunteers during the reconstruction process in quake-affected areas.

He was talking to Special Adviser to Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani and Minister for Youth Affairs Sumaira Malik, who had called on him on Friday.

The president said the spirit and commitment of the youth must be utilized in an effective manner to enable them to contribute to the development of the country.

He praised the role of the National Volunteers Movement and youths during relief operations in quake-affected areas saying that they worked in difficult situations to help their countrymen.

He said the government was paying special attention to the creation of jobs for youths who were a great asset for the country.

The president said a strong economy and greater investments in the industrial sector were leading to creation of jobs to absorb the younger generation.

He said the government was also opening six technical universities for youths to provide them with the latest technological skills.

Mohammad Ali Durrani and Sumaira Malik briefed the president on various programmes of the National Volunteers Movement.—APP