LAHORE, Aug 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf stressed on Sunday the need for following the Quaid-i-Azam’s motto of unity, faith and discipline for the progress of Pakistan, appealing the people to reject in the local government elections all retrogressive forces who were hindering the country’s development.

He was speaking at the stone laying ceremony of Bab-i-Pakistan here. The monument is being built at the site of the first and largest refugee camp set up in 1947 to pay homage to those who had rendered countless sacrifices for getting a separate homeland.

The president who earlier unveiled a plaque marking the beginning of the project’s construction delayed for over a decade due to various reasons, came hard on what he said rigid and narrow-minded elements who were blocking the country’s progress.

“They cannot be permitted to fulfil their nefarious designs,” he added.

He said the people of Pakistan were honest and hardworking but were misled by dishonest leaders who also were the main hurdle in the progress of the country.

The president said Pakistan had countered crises during the past six years. It had not as yet been able to overcome them and was still in the middle of the storm. “But I do believe that the dark clouds would be cleared and we would be able to take the country out of the trouble waters,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by Senate Chairman Mohammad-mian Soomro, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Husain, NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yousaf, federal and provincial ministers, senators, MNAs, MPAs, Pakistan movement workers, and senior civil and military officers.

Sindh was represented by three federal ministers while host Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi also spoke on the occasion.

Schoolchildren attired in colourful dresses presented national anthem and songs. The president walked to them for a picture and announced Rs100,000 each for the participating groups of boys and girls as a mark of appreciation.

The president said the government had the will and ability to establish the real strength of the country in the world. Pakistan surprised the world by test-firing the indigenously made Babur cruise missile two days ago. “This indicates our calibre and resolution to transform Pakistan into an economic and military power,” he added. He said narrow-mindedness, terrorism and the desire to impose one’s ideas on others were the only hurdle in the country’s progress. Those who had such tendencies were intolerant and had forgotten the real teachings of Islam.

They had always lagged behind others and issued edicts against Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-i-Azam who talked of the renaissance of Muslims and gave them a separate homeland. Such elements could not be permitted to freely operate, he said, appealing people to reject them in local government elections and general polls to be held in 2007.

The president directed all governors and chief ministers to ensure free and fair local government elections. “There should be no rigging and leave it up to the people to elect candidates of their own choice,” he said, adding he believed that the election commission must have ensured transparency in the election.

He congratulated the nation on the independence day and said he was proud to inaugurate the Bab-i-Pakistan project on the occasion.

The president reminisced the hardships suffered by the refugees who stayed at the Walton camp under open sky. Imbibed with the spirit of sacrifice, these people left their homes and hearths behind with the belief that their future lay in their new homeland where they could lead their lives peacefully according to the real teachings of Islam.

He said he was a little boy in 1947 but he still recalled the hardships people faced because of the migration. “I do remember how my family started from Delhi to reach Karachi via the Walton camp.