NEWS

* President says he will never bow to opponents
* Sindh has always remained at receiving end

HYDERABAD/LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday vowed to fight internal and external conspiracies against democracy and the country with the support of the people.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of Darwat Dam, Zardari said, “Whether it’s internal conspiracy against democracy or external conspiracy against Pakistan, we will fight them with the support of the masses.” The Darwat Dam, with a storage capacity of 119,546 acre feet and hydropower generation of 450 kilowatts, would irrigate about 50,000 acres of land.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah were also present.

“If anyone casts an evil eye on Pakistan, keeping their differences aside, all political forces will stand along the country’s armed forces and the people,” he said.

Opponents: President Zardari expressed his resolve to strengthen the country.

“It is thought and determination that run and save countries. Our conviction is strong. We will never bow to the opponents. We will support the masses, who are a source of strength,” he said.

He said the foundation of Darwat Dam had been laid in line with the vision of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, adding that similar steps would be taken to improve the conditions for the masses and give them protection and all basic amenities of life.

“The Bhuttos can be murdered but their vision, philosophy and love cannot be eliminated,” he said. The president said, “Those who killed her [Benazir Bhutto] were mistaken in thinking that after her death, the people of the country will not be taken care of.” The president expressed the resolve to initiate and carry out thousands of development projects across the country.

He also laid the foundations of the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9) and the Gharo-KT Bandar Road.

Receiving end: Later, talking to a delegation of owners of Sindhi newspapers and TV channels, the president said Sindh had always been at the receiving end in the past and the government would do its best to address the sense of deprivation of the province. app/daily times monitor