Musharraf ask scouts to help eliminate extremism

President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday asked the scouts to play a proactive role in ridding the society of extremism and to make Pakistan a progressive and enlightened country.
"We are perceived as an intolerant society; it damages our reputation abroad, besides affecting investment," the President, who is also the country's chief scout, said in his address at the Third National Scouts Agoonoree--a gathering of scouts with disabilities.
He said that the misperception of intolerance was a scar on the country and had to be addressed through practical means, rather than through hollow slogans.
The President said that each and every person was responsible, and had a role to play in creating tolerance, love and brotherhood in the society.
The event, that was attended by 500 scouts with disabilities from across the country, is a prelude to the centenary celebrations of scouting in 2007.
President Musharraf specifically mentioned the role of the youth and said that the country's future was in their hands.
"With hard work, sincerity and devotion you can turn Pakistan into a strong, prosperous and progressive country," he said.
The President appreciated the young scouts for their contribution in mitigating the sufferings of those affected by the devastating earthquake of October 8, last year.
He also acknowledged the collection of Rs 2.5 million, which they had contributed to President's Earthquake Relief Fund.
"I appreciate your commitment, hard work and dedication to serve the nation in spite of physical disabilities," he added.
He said that the special scouts need to work as normal human beings and should be treated as such. However, he regretted the attitudinal problem of the society towards the disabled, and called for its rectification.
"We will do all, and even more, to help you in all your endeavours," the President said. He called for bringing about an awareness, and a change, in the attitude of the society to help the people with disabilities lead a normal life.
He mentioned the 'National Policy for Persons with Disabilities' introduced for the first time in the country, permission to special persons to sit for the CSS examinations, and declaration of all provinces as disabled-friendly.
He directed the City Nazims to ensure provision of better facilities for the disabled.
The President, attired in the scout uniform, awarded gold medals and shields among the outstanding scouts, besides Rs 10,000 each from the President.
He announced Rs 500,000 for distribution among the scouts who recited from the Holy Quran, the Naat-khwan, and those who presented songs and tableaus. He also announced Rs 50,000 for the scouts who presented him the guard of honour.
Chief Commissioner of scouts and Minister for Special Education Zobaida Jalal highlighted the role of scouts during and after the October 8 earthquake and assured that all their demands for improvement of facilities for the scouts would be looked into.
Earlier, the scouts performed tableaus, presented songs and dance to the tunes of popular folk and national songs, despite their physical disabilities, and earned thunderous applause. The assembly of disabled scouts was first held in Holland in 1949, while Pakistan held the event in Quetta in 1999.