Country vital than anything: President

QUETTA—President general Pervez Musharraf has said salvaging the country is more vital than constitution. “ A difficult decision was taken to get rid of anti state elements and terrorists. Protecting the country was important rather than constitution and democracy”, he said this in his address to members of Balochistan assembly and tribal elders after inaugurating Surab Basima Hoshab high way Sunday.
President underscored constitution and democracy were meant for the country nor the country was meant for constitution and democracy. Therefore saving the country was more important thing, headed. He went on to say country’s economy had reached the verge of destruction in 1999 and it was pulled out of this situation by taking immediate steps. During some times back, terrorism and extremism had gripped the country. Stern action was taken against it, he added. It produced some negative effect too. But any thing can be done for the sake of country, he remarked.
“I had not made any pledge with the nation which I had not delivered. I had promised to the nation that assemblies would complete their tenure and I had fulfilled this promise”, he maintained. Country was now entering int6 second phase of democracy, he said adding every one should be proud of it. It was first time in the history of the country that a prime minister was seen off from the corridor of power after he was presented guard of honor. Transfer of power had taken place amicably, he added.
This is year of election and every one should participate in it, he stressed. This will usher in era of new democracy, he added. He thanked members of Balochistan for contributing to his overwhelming success in presidential polls . He held all the ongoing development projects would be completed. Three more dams including Bollan dam, Wander dam and Toisar dam would be constructed in Balochistan, he announced.
Citing to road construction projects initiated for Balochistan he said road projects would not only link Balochistan with other provinces but people of this province would gain access to Iran, Afghan, Central Asian states and China and it will step up trade activities. “We had determined that we had to take Balochistan forward as discriminatory treatment was meted out to it in the past, he added.
Steps were being taken at large scale for development of education in Balochistan, he underlined. “My heart throbs with the hearts of people of Balochistan”, he said and vowed people of this province would not be left alone. There were certain anti Pakistan elements in Balochistan and difficult decision was taken to get rid of these elements, he said. The level of terrorism had now dropped, he told. A few elements who are left behind are working to serve their personal interest. These elements will also

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