Era of real democracy begins, says President
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—President Pervez Musharraf has said that an era of democracy has begun in the country, adding that, he is fully prepared to work with the newly elected government and the elected Government would has his complete support.
“I hope that the incoming government will maintain political peace and will continue the struggle against menace of terrorism and extremism with the same force,” he said this while addressing the parade ceremony held here at Jinnah Sports Complex in connection with Pakistan Day on Sunday.
Congratulating the whole nation at the 68th Pakistan Day, the President said, the state of Pakistan was achieved within seven years of tabling the Pakistan Resolution. He said he had put the country “on the track of development and progress. The era of democracy and development, which was started 8 years ago in three phases, is heading towards completion, he pointed out.
President Musharraf paid rich tributes to Caretaker Premier Muhammadmian Soomro, the Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies on holding the free, fair and transparent elections. Pakistan, the President said, has no aggressive designs against anyone. The President believed that the defence, security and integrity can be achieved only through power not weakness.
Pakistan armed forces are the best in the whole world, therefore, nation should be proud of it, he observed adding, ‘Taking salute of the parade today is an honour to him and he extends rich tribute to the forces for presenting a great parade.’ The President said that the armed forces of Pakistan performed tremendously either it was war against terrorism, or earthquake, development work in dangerous areas and flood. Federal and Provincial Governments would be formed soon, he added.
After the President’s address the Parade Commander, Brigadier Ahsan-ul-Haq, drove past the saluting dais leading the contingent of the three Services bearing the National Standards. Besides Battalions of the Punjab, Baloch, Azad Kashmir, Sindh, the contingent of Special Service Group, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Nursing Service of Pakistan Army, Punjab Rangers comprised the columns, which marched past the saluting dais to the thunderous applause of the spectators.
Earlier, the President was warmly welcomed by Caretaker Prime Minister and high ups of civil and military officers on his arrival at the parade ground Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed, Chief Of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani, Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Afzal Tahir, Begum Sehba Musharraf and a number of military and civil officials were also present on the occasion.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf assured his full support on Sunday for an incoming government that will almost certainly be led by a prime minister he had jailed for over four years.
The Pakistan People’s Party of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto nominated Yousaf Raza Gilani for the premiership on Saturday, though it remains unclear whether Gilani is a stop-gap, keeping the seat warm for Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto’s widower.
“The country is passing through a difficult phase and I need prayers and cooperation of the entire nation,” Gilani, a former Speaker in the National Assembly, told journalists as he went to parliament to file his nomination papers.