ATTOCK, March 3: President Gen Pervez Musharraf Saturday said the government was taking keen interest in the development of less developed areas and announced Rs50 million for various projects for three tehsil of Attock district.

Addressing a public rally at Pindigheb, the president said the amount would be spent on provision of fire brigade unit at Hazro, gas and electricity at Jand and Pindgheb.

The president also announced upgradation of a girls and a boys high schools to college level in Kunda, construction of Jand-Turrab road and a technical institute at the village.

Despite heavy rain, the president visited the residence of senior politician Malik Allah Yar at Kunda amid unprecedented security.

About 10,000 personnel of different law enforcement agencies and army were deputed in the venues of the president’s visit, sources said.

The law-enforcement agencies and army personnel had put under siege the venues of the visit since Friday night.

Besides the Attock police, additional police force were called from Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot and Rawalpindi to ensure foolproof security, the sources said.

Referring to the development of Attock district, the president said that Rs1.6 billion had been spent on various projects in the district during the last four years.

The president said Attock it is the constituency of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and needs more attention of the government in development. He asked the ruling party to forge unity in its ranks to win the forthcoming elections.

APP adds: Inaugurating a heritage museum at Golra, in Islamabad the president appreciated the initiative taken by the Pakistan Railways in preserving its historical buildings scattered across the country and for setting up the museum.

He called for collecting more artifacts and expanding the museum, besides preserving the old structures, bridges and equipment.

He said the matter for acquiring additional land from CDA would also be taken up for a recreational park for the people along the Golra Railway Station.

“Also do not cut these beautiful, old shady trees ... they add character to these old buildings,” the president remarked about the trees, growing along the platform and under which the event was organised.

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said after the straightening of bends from Sohawa to Dina travel from Lahore to Rawalpindi will be shortened by one-and-a-half hour.

The president inaugurated the museum, set up in an Victorian era building and had on display various tools, gauges and equipment used in construction of railroads and the old locomotives.

He was shown the mechanical signalling and communication system, first aid boxes, crockery and uniform of the pre- partition railway workers. Dozens of historic photographs, maps and documents adorned the walls.

President Musharraf was also informed about the Steam Safari from Golra Station to Attock Khurd over the Indus river. The safari leads up to the 122-year-old Attock Khurd bridge that has been recently renovated.

The president later spent quite some time with the diplomats and ministers at the re-launched Dining Car, where he exchanged pleasantries and had snacks.

Public Accounts Committee Chairman Malik Allah Yar Khan appreciated the dedication of President Musharraf for the welfare of the less developed areas.