President shrugs off foreign dictates
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday said he has thwarted efforts to derail the democratic system and re-emphasized the resolve to hold the general election in free, fair and transparent manner. In an interactive session with a gathering of students, academicians, lawyers and businessmen at “Aiwan-e-Sadr Say” on the topic of “Transition to Democracy”, the President said after the completion of National Assembly’s tenure today, the caretaker government would be in place on Friday.
Similar caretaker setups will be formed after the dissolution of the provincial assemblies on November 20, he said and added that the Election Commission will fix a date for the general election in the country. The President referred to the turmoil being faced by the country for the past few months and said that some elements of judiciary were in conflict with the executive and the legislature, paralyzing functioning of the government and causing chaos and uncertainty, that forced him to take a difficult decision.
“We had to correct the conflict between the three pillars of state and bring harmony among them, to combat extremism and terrorism,” the President said while referring to the hard decision of imposing emergency in the country. About lifting of emergency, the President said “we are looking into it and will see how long it is required, in Pakistan’s interest.” The President said he has always taken decisions in the country’s interest and never taken any dictation from anyone. He said had he been listening to the foreign dictates, he would not have taken the decision to proclaim emergency.
He said he would take the oath of office as the civilian President after the notification on the Presidential election, remove the uniform, and the country would complete its transition to full civilian dispensation. The President, to a question about the release of the arrested lawyers and political activists, said they should be released, but stressed that they must not disrupt the political transition. He said the Election Commission was in the process of consulting with all the political parties and politicians to decide about the mode of electioneering.
The President, speaking about the independence of judiciary, said he fully stands for it but stressed that it must remain depoliticized as it is an important pillar of the State. He, however emphasized that there must not be a clash with other pillars of State as it might cause destability. Responding to a question about demands of suspension of the Local Governments before the election, the President categorically stated that they would continue to function.
The President, addressing the lawyer community, termed them custodians of justice and law and said there were some elements who mix with those among them who create law and order situation. Responding to a question, the President said it was for the people to decide through their vote in the forthcoming general election whom they will elect. “We will leave it to the election ... it is the answer ... let the people decide,” the President said.