20000403

Add Musharraf discusses

Gen Musharraf said, the government had identified four areas to put the economy back on rails which are retirement of debts burden of $38 billion, cutting budget deficit and reducing the trade deficit.

The government, he said, wanted to bring about structural changes which was necessary to rebuild the national institutions, introduce, merit in the system and ensure justice at the doorsteps of the common man.

The government, the Chief Executive said, had announced devolution of power at the district level to make people masters of their own destiny. The government functionaries under this system, to be introduced in phases starting from December this year, will be subordinate to the elected people.

"The old colonial system where DCs and SPs used to rule the people will be changed by ensuring implementation of this step," he added.

Gen. Musharraf said, the government has been able to recover Rs 14 billion from loan defaulters while people owing Rs 30 billion to banks have been turned from bad to good debtors. Now they are paying their loans, he added.

The process of accountability, he said, will pick up pace as the requisite steps in this regard have been already taken.

The Chief Executive said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is headed by a very competent man who works 20 hours out of 24 hours. The ambit of the accountability process will also be increased which will bring many people into its net, he added.

Pakistanis living on nearby Malaysian Island of Sabha and Sarawak also attended the meeting.

Later, Gen Musharraf was presented a gift by the President of Pakistan Association in Brunei Darussalam, Haji Syed Annyatullah Shah. Settled for over 30 years in Brunei, Shah, is a driving force in organizing Pakistani community here.

The Chief Executive also inaugurated "Pakistan News Review", on the occasion.

Earlier, Pakistan's Acting High Commission, speaking on the occasion, said that Pakistanis inhabiting Sabah and Sarawak Islands of Malaysia be allowed to get their visas from Brunei.

These people have to travel to Kuala Lumpur for getting Pakistan's visa.

There should be air service available to these people which will facilitate them to export more fruits from Pakistan.ÑAPP