BANNU, April 10: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Wednesday that a silent revolution had been ushered in the country through local government system and it would continue for the welfare of the people.

Speaking at a big public meeting here as part of his referendum campaign, the President maintained that vested interests wanted to create uncertainty in the country and were trying to reverse the reform process.

“People of Pakistan are now united against them and will foil all attempts of pushing the country back to poverty, uncertainty and economic chaos,” Gen Musharraf declared.

“I have presented myself before the nation through referendum, which is purely constitutional,” he contended.

The President hoped that people would fully support his policies and vote in his favour. He said referendum was being held so that the nation gave him full authority to continue the reform agenda and complete it for its welfare.

Gen Musharraf urged the people to take part in the referendum wholeheartedly and cast their vote judiciously for the continuation of the reforms initiated by his government.

“You should come forward and take part in the referendum wholeheartedly, cast your vote judiciously and faithfully for the continuation of reforms initiated in the interest of the country,” he said.

The President said mass participation by people in referendum would bring an end to political instability in the country and discourage the negative elements.

“Your vote in referendum will end political uncertainty in the country and discourage the disgruntled elements who are trying to subvert progress of Pakistan for their own vested interests.”

“You have to decide the future of Pakistan on the day of referendum. I have faith in the people of Pakistan that they would decide in the best national interest,” he said.

President Musharraf recounted the policies adopted by his government in national interest and said for the first time the people had been empowered at grass-roots level.

“The local bodies system will help devolve power to the people whose right to power was ignored in the past.”

Referring to the economic policies of his government, he said Pakistan had been put on the path of economic recovery and all indicators speak in favour of the reforms introduced by his government.

President Musharraf said the bold and clear-cut foreign policy of his government had won the country a new international status.

“Not long ago, Pakistan was being perceived as a terrorist country, and now it is recognized as a frontline state in the international fight against the menace of terrorism.”

The President criticized the role of religious parties and said they deem that they were the only religious people in the country.

“The are not for unity and their stance is against the interests of the country.”

He said the religious representatives were not ready even to say prayers behind one another. “Now they have joined hands to sabotage the country’s march to progress and prosperity.”

About achievements made by his government, President Musharraf said besides retiring debt, foreign exchange reserves had crossed the limit of $5 billion and were expected to reach $7 billion mark in the next four months.

The previous governments, he said borrowed $24 billion loan in 12 years but there was no sign of development.

Instead of initiating hydro-power projects, the previous governments stressed on thermal power projects, which caused huge losses to the national exchequer, the President said.

Gen Musharraf said his government recovered Rs100 billion from corrupt people through accountability, while Rs640 million of cooperative scam were also recovered and returned to the affected people.

Talking to elders and students from seven southern districts of the NWFP in Bannu, the President said a new era of genuine democracy would dawn after elections.—Agencies