Emergency to end as situation normalizes, says Musharraf
Asks world to understand ground realities in Pakistan
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—President Gen Pervez Musharraf expressing his desire of maintaining friendly, cordial relations with the international community said that emergency would be lifted as soon as the situation is normalized.
He expressed these views while talking to more than 80 foreign diplomats including from US and UK at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday. Foreign secretary Riaz M Khan and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
President Musharraf taking the foreign diplomats into confidence on the current situation told that emergency has been imposed in the country to deal with terrorism and extremism and we would also deal with internal crisis that is becoming an impediment in our development. He told that he took this step after lengthy consultations and felt that there was no other way out in dealing with this crisis.
However president emphasized that it would be his priority to lift the emergency as soon as the situation is normalized. However he refused to give a time frame. According to sources, President Musharraf answering queries of foreign diplomats said that despite imposition of emergency we want friendly relations with the international community. He said that Pakistan would honour all its commitments made with the international community regarding war on terror. He said that he would keep his words regarding complete democracy in Pakistan and the international community should understand the circumstances under which he was forced to impose emergency.
He said that Pakistan would continue its war on terror and due to the situation in Swat and Tribal years this step was taken. President Musharraf emphasized that the judiciary is completing its responsibilities and the PM, Cabinet and Parliament are in tact. He said that in case of emergency the tenure of parliament could be extended for one year but it would be our effort to end this situation as early as possible and elections are held.
Agencies Add: President General Pervez Musharraf Monday briefing the foreign diplomats based in the capital about the current situation in the country said that the superior judiciary paralysed various organs of the State and created impediments in the fight against terrorism, which led to imposition of emergency. The President said Pakistan was facing challenges because of certain decisions of the superior judiciary creating a state of dysfunction of vital pillars of the State and added that this situation was not acceptable.
While addressing the diplomats here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said the law enforcement authorities and provincial governments faced obstacles in maintaining internal security situation and sustaining the fight against terrorism.
The President assured the diplomats that efforts were being made in a phased manner to move towards complete democracy, since 1999. He mentioned the first phase from 1999 to 2002, where he was in full control of the government affairs. It was followed by the second phase from 2002-07 where an elected parliament was functioning along with provincial assemblies and local governments and his role was confined to advise to the government on various issues of national importance.
President Pervez Musharraf reaffirmed his commitment towards complete transition to democracy, saying that elections would be held. He said a number of decisions and deliberations have to be taken in view of new legal situation very soon. President Musharraf urged the global community to understand the ground realities in Pakistan and the decision taken to stabilize the situation in the country.
He also mentioned the role of media that in some cases seemed to be helping the cause of extremists and terrorists by showing the gory scenes of suicide bombings that encouraged these elements to carry on with their heinous acts.
The President said difficult decisions had to be taken in the national interest for ensuring effective governance, maintaining writ of the government, law and order, security in the country and averting decline in economic growth.
He said the new measures would ensure that there was harmonious functioning between main pillars of the state and the armed forces of the country.
He mentioned the first phase from 1999 to 2002 where he was in full control of the government affairs. It was followed by the second phase from 2002-07 where an elected parliament was functioning along with provincial assemblies and local governments and his role was confined to advise to the government on various issues of national importance.
President Pervez Musharraf reaffirmed his commitment towards complete transition to democracy, saying that elections would be held. He said a number of decisions and deliberations have to be taken very soon in view of new legal situation. He also mentioned the role of media that in some cases seemed to be helping the cause of extremists and terrorists by showing the gory scenes of suicide bombings that encouraged these elements to carry on with their heinous acts.
The President said difficult decisions had to be taken in the national interest for ensuring effective governance, maintaining the writ o the government, law and order, security in the country and averting decline in economic growth. He said the new measures would ensure that there was harmonious functioning between main pillars of the state and the armed forces of the country.