Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said he will honour his commitment to the Supreme Court to quit the post of army chief if re-elected for a fresh term, promising not to go back on the assurance as in 2004.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said he will honour his commitment to the Supreme Court to quit the post of army chief if re-elected for a fresh term, promising not to go back on the assurance as in 2004.
"There is a huge difference between 2004 and 2007. In 2004, there were compelling circumstances and no constitutional bar and, therefore, I had to continue with the two offices," Musharraf said at a reception organised by outgoing chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Pervez Ashfaq Kiani last night.
The function was attended among others by diplomats of several countries.
"However, the circumstances today are different and I have given a commitment to the Supreme Court that after my re-election, I will leave the office of the COAS and I shall abide by it," Musharraf, who candidly referred to his failed promise of doffing uniform in 2004, was quoted as saying by the The News daily.
Stating that he was a "democrat by temperament", Musharraf stressed that the general elections which he plans to hold in January next year would be free and fair and that power would be transferred to the elected government.
Opposition parties and lawyers outfits, which have challenged his re-election bid, have expressed skepticism over Musharraf pledge to take oath as a civilian if he is re-elected saying he had breached a similar promise three years back.
"We are not accepting.... That was a promise to some political parties. This time there is an Undertaking before the Supreme Court," Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association President Munir A Milk had said.
Musharraf said "I am by temperament a democrat and believe in the norms of democracy with all of its decencies and freedoms. I am confident that democracy will flourish in the country and Pakistan has a bright future as it will continue to play an important role for stability in the region."
He stressed on continuity of policies for sustainable economic gains was important and said it was essential that the entire electoral exercise, beginning with the election for the office of the president and the general elections, proceeds unhindered and peacefully.
"We cannot afford to lose momentum. We have to maintain this growth to be able to pull our people out of misery and poverty. It is, however, linked to eliminating terrorism and extremism," Musharraf said.
Unfolding his post-election vision for Pakistan, Musharraf said he would like to evolve national consensus on critical issues, and work for political reconciliation and good governance.
The military ruler said he was proud to have "put the essence of democracy in the national polity" by creating a third tier of elected government at the district level, empowering women, youth and the minorities and giving freedom to the media which "some people used against the government but it was all taken in good spirit".
All this has helped the parliament to complete its tenure which is a big achievement, he claimed.
He eulogised the role of the armed forces in countering terrorism and thwarting the designs of the extremists.
The recent political turmoil has caused a temporary setback to the economic growth but this will soon be overcome, Musharraf said.
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