LAHORE, Nov 22: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that decision on new dams would be taken in the next few months after removing apprehensions of the people of Sindh and the NWFP.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Lahore Ring Road Project here, the president said that he would visit all the provinces very soon and meet people from a cross-section of society to dispel their doubts about the new dams.

The president stressed that he would personally convince the people of both provinces (Sindh and the NWFP) and pave way for a consensus on new dams in the major national interest. "We will build more dams in Pakistan and the decisions in this regard will be made soon", he explained.

President Musharraf stressed that the crucial issue of water shortage could not be neglected as the well-being of country was hinged on this vital need. He observed with satisfaction that the country had been put on the road to progress and development.

He said a record number of 16 to 18 mega projects of major national importance like Mangla Raising, Mirani Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Rainy Canal, Katchi Canal etc had been undertaken in different parts of the country. He said these projects would positively generate more employment opportunities for the people.

He said that the government attached great importance to agriculture, education, health and industrial sectors. "As a result of prudent economic policies, our national economy has been strengthened," he observed.

He said a national-level mega project costing Rs66 billion for brick lining of 87,000 water courses had been undertaken throughout the country to prevent water wastage and ensure timely availability of irrigation water to farmers.

Loans to farmers have also been increased, he said. Initially only Zarai Taraqiati Bank is issuing agri loans, now production loans amounting Rs75 billion are being advanced by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank and all other commercial banks, he said. He said that bank loans exclusively for agriculture sector would be increased to a trillion rupees during the next couple of years.

He said a 'revolving credit scheme' had also been launched across the country under which farmers could now get a loan limit approved by the bank concerned, payable any time within a period of three years.

He said the interest rate on agri loans had also been slashed from 14 to 8 per cent for the benefit of farmers. Referring to measures taken so far for poverty alleviation in the country, he said. "We have to check the population growth rate of two per cent, with three million people being added annually to the total population of 150 million".

He said the two million per annum increase in rural areas and one million rise in the country's urban population also needed the basic amenities of life, putting additional burden on the available national resources.

President Musharraf said that the government was working towards an industrial and agricultural revolution to help improve the socio-economic conditions of the masses and provide ample job opportunities.

He said no development project of national importance had been launched in the country between 1988 to 1999. He said that 18 per cent increase had been recorded in the industrial growth and four billion US dollar investment done in textile, information technology and telecom sectors. He said sale of motorcycles in Pakistan had increased five times which reflected the better financial position of people.

About democracy in the country, he said that it had now taken roots even at the grassroots level after the establishment local government system. He said in democracy, minority must respect the majority and the opposition must avoid 'criticism for sake of criticism' and work for the welfare of people.

He urged the people to frustrate the evil designs of anti- state elements, parochial forces and extremists who were bringing a bad name to Islam. He said Islam's quintessential values were against extremism or the bloodshed of innocent people.

President Musharraf observed with satisfaction that the Punjab was progressing steadily in every sphere of life. He announced full support for the chief minister for the development of the province and added that the centre and provinces were working in close co-ordination for the betterment of the people.

About the importance of the Ring Road Project, he said in most of the developed countries ring roads were dual carriageway for safety of public and smooth flow of the traffic.

He hoped that this project would accelerate the economic activities, besides improving the flow of vehicular traffic in the city with a burgeoning population. He directed that the 60-kilometre long Ring Road should be constructed in a record time. -APP