Lal Masjid take-over by militants won’t be allowed: President
DM Monitoring

ISLAMABAD—President Pervez Musharraf has categorically stated the re-take-over of Islamabad Lal Masjid would not be allowed at any cost. The President said this in an exclusive interview in a local TV programme.
Musharraf also said he will doff military uniform till Nov. 15 after getting re-elected on October 06. Musharraf said that the existing assemblies would complete their terms and general elections in the country will be held after two months of Nov. 15. He said he would get the vote of confidence from the new assembly.
Commenting on the National Reconciliation Ordinance the President said he also wants to withdraw cases against Nawaz Sharif and leaders of other political parties. Musharraf said Peoples Party could play role to curb extremism in the country. He said he doesn’t deny US role in talks with Benazir Bhutto.
About APDM resignations, the president said over 100 resignations would not affect the electoral college, which would not be affected even if more resignations submitted. There is no difference of opinion between him and General Ashfaq Kiyani, he said. President general Pervez Musharraf has said he wants participation of all the political parties including Nawaz Sharif in national reconciliation process after the upcoming general elections.
President observed his re-election from the present assemblies was not a good thing. But it was being done under a legal and constitutional compulsion to respond to the allegations being leveled against his re-election from the present assemblies.
“ I have decided I will go to the next assembly after my re-election to seek vote of confidence. This way he will seek vote of confidence from both the assemblies”, president remarked. The resignations of over 100 people have no value before the electoral college of over 1000, he added. If more resignations come it will make no difference as majority of parliament is with him and this is spirit of democracy, he maintained.
He was of the view over 40 to 45 registered voters did not cast votes in the national and provincial assemblies elections during general elections and a large number of voters kept themselves at distance from this process, he added. But it is requirement of democracy that majority party forms government, he remarked.
Talks are underway with PPP for elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country, he indicated. PPP can become part of the next government as outcome of these talks, he added. “ I am ready to offer indemnity to PPP as it is part of my vision of national reconciliation., he told.
President for the first time said he wanted to integrate all political parties in national reconciliation process following the upcoming general elections. “ I want Nawaz Sharif too participates in it. They all should sit together and take decisions for future of the country”, he underscored. He made particular mention that appointment of general Ishfaq Pervez Kiani as army chief of staff was made on merit. General Majeed also qualified for it equally. Only one was to be selected. Decision was very difficult, he pointed out.