General elections by 1st week of Jan
President announces dissolution of NA on 15th, PAs on 20th - promises transparent transition of 3rd phase of democracy snubs local, Western media for irresponsible reporting - reaffirms desire for independence of responsible media -elaborates official, personal wrongdoings of former CJ - reaffirms to go by Constitution - Gives no deadline on lifting emergency - promises to take oath as civilian President - says BB’s popularity all time low
By Makhdoom Babar

ISLAMABAD—President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday, without giving any date for lifting the state of emergency, said the country will go for the next general election in early January.The President said the assemblies, on completion of their tenure, will stand dissolved - the national on November 15 and provincial on 20th and the Election Commission would be requested to hold the election.“I would request the Election Commission to hold election as soon as possible,” the President told reporters during a press conference at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.The President said that a decision has been taken in consonance with all the Chief Ministers of the four provinces to hold the election simultaneously on one day.
He said the National Assembly would dissolve on November 15 (Thursday), while the Provincial Assemblies by November 20 so that the election could be held in the next 45 to 60 days, according to the Constitution. “We should have elections before the 9th of January,” he said. He however pointed out that Muharram - the first month of Islamic year - also coincides with these dates. “I leave it to the Election Commission to decide the exact date.” He reiterated his oft-repeated promise to the nation that the assemblies would complete their term. “This is a historical moment as it happens for the first time in the history of the country,” he said and added it is the way that the things should have moved in the past and should move in the future.
About doffing of his uniform the President said, “I wish I could also give a specific date for mine taking oath as a civilian president.” He said it could have happened on November 15, but now the case was with the Supreme Court and sub-judice. Musharraf said he would take the oath soon after the Supreme Court allows notification of results of the presidential election to be issued, where he got 57 per cent votes from the Parliament and the four provincial assemblies. “The moment they give the decision, I shall take oath of office as a civilian president of Pakistan,” he said and hoped that it happens as soon as possible. President Pervez Musharraf, when asked about any time-frame for lifting the state of emergency in the country, said “I do understand the emergency has to be lifted but I cannot give a date.” The President said the government was in a state of paralysis and needed reinvigoration and said he had consulted all sections of society before taking this “bitter pill.” “I could have preserved myself, but then it would have damaged the nation,” he said and pointed that the country was in a state turmoil and shock. “I had to select what I needed to do - take a drastic measures to save the democratic process - that was being derailed.”
About the proclamation of emergency he said “I did not violate the Constitution and the law of this land.” “It was the most difficult decision of my life ...I found myself between a rock and a hard surface. I stand by it because I think it was in the national interest,” the President said. President Pervez Musharraf dwelt at length on the reasons behind the proclamation of emergency and mentioned the clash of the superior judiciary with the Executive and the Legislature.
“The government was not acting, was being humiliated in courts, terrorists were encouraged and those fighting them - the law enforcing agencies were being demoralised.” He also spoke of the political uncertainty that led to a drop in the credit ratings of the country, for the first time in eight years. “I bear the responsibility and I stand by it (decision to impose emergency) as it was in Pakistan’s interest,” President Musharraf said.
When asked whether he foresaw suspension of foreign aid, he said the countries understand the ground realities that Pakistan has to combat terrorism. “Lots of leaders rang me up and showed concern over the election, doffing of the uniform, but each of them showed understanding about the situation in Pakistan.” “I knew the fallout and the perceptions internationally,” the President said alluding to the criticism from abroad over the imposition of emergency.
President Pervez Musharraf, spoke of the necessity of imposing emergency in view of the threats from terrorists and extremists and suicide bombings across the country. He said the security forces were fighting the terrorism but added that “it is spreading to the settled districts ... we have to fight them there.” He mentioned the requisition of the Army in the troubled areas of Swat and said prior to the imposition of emergency, it was not allowed to act in aid of the paramilitary forces.
“Now after the emergency, the army will take action in the southern districts and in FATA, to combat terrorism.” He said if these terrorists were not stopped, there could be a grave danger to the country. “If the nation does not show unity and solidarity, we will not be able to challenge them.” He said it was for the nation, the judiciary, the government, the law enforcement agencies and the media, all to join hands against the terrorists. The President vowed to continue the fight against terrorism, even when the emergency was removed. “When we remove emergency, the fight against terrorism will continue till we defeat it.”
He recalled that the turmoil in the country was initiated on March 9, with the filing of reference against the then Chief Justice. “Nobody is above the law, the President can be impeached and a reference can be filed against the Chief Justice ... I followed the constitutional path and sent the reference to Supreme Judicial Council,” he added. He said he had no personal problem with the then Chief Justice and there were social relations between the two families. However, he pointed out that in running the State affairs, other matters have to be considered. He regretted that the court did not consider the allegations levelled against the then Chief Justice (CJ).
He mentioned a few of these according to which there was a tussle between the High Courts and the CJ over appointment of Judges; there was illegal interference in court cases; harassment of civil servants, innumerable suo motto cases halted everyday work and efforts were made to stop privatisation process. The President asked whether the Chief Justice was above the law and whether he should not have been enquired about those allegations. “I did exactly what I was legally and constitutionally allowed and tried to correct the situation.” He, however, regretted the handling of the matter at the “tactical level”.
The President to a question whether he saw the former Prime Minister Ms Benazir Bhutto as an ally or an opponent, said he in his position as the President will remain above board. He said there was a need to give equal chance to all the political parties in the forthcoming general elections and added that it was upto the people to choose their future leadership. “Let the political parties decide the future of Pakistan, after the elections,” the President said. He said political leaders who had been arrested would be freed but that emergency rule was needed to ensure that the general election went smoothly.
“I would expect that all of them get released and participate in the elections, and they’ll be free to go and do electioneering as per the rules given by the Election Commission.” “But if they disturb law and order, and if they want to create anarchy in Pakistan in the name of elections, in the name of democracy, we must not allow that,” the President added. When questioned about any foreign interference, he said “I strongly reject anyone’s interference in our internal affairs.”
He said Pakistan does not need any kind of advice as it can decide about what is in its best interest. About the amendment in the Army Act, the President dispelled the impression that it would in anyway create problems for the common man. He said it was aimed at removing disparities and providing legal support to take action against those who were being held on the charges of terrorism.
On the Lal Masjid issue, President Pervez Musharraf dispelled the aspersions cast on him as “baseless” for having an alleged nexus with the terrorists. He said the government faced the allegations only because it wanted to save precious lives. He said a plan had been made to strengthen the second line forces and said 15,000 police, 128 platoons of Frontier Corps, 7,000 Levies and 12 wings of Rangers would be added to the existing number of personnel.
He termed terrorism as a major threat for Pakistan’s solidarity, for which he said unity was required among the nation along with the army and other law enforcing agencies. “Full force is required to address it (terrorism), to defeat it,” he said, adding that government, judiciary and federal and provincial assemblies needed to work in harmony for best results.
On media’s role, President Musharraf said a few channels were acting as if they were making “heroes of the terrorists and villains of the law enforcement agencies”. The President said he was for a free but responsible media in the country. “I am for independence of media. I still stand by it. All that I, the government, desire is responsibility,” he added.