National Assembly to be summoned 10 days after receiving ECP summary: Musharraf says army still backs him

President Pervez Musharraf has said that he will summon the National Assembly session soon after receiving the summary from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) through the caretaker Prime Minister. He was speaking at inaugural ceremony of Multan centre of Pakistan Television (PTV) on Saturday.
He was accompanied by Minister for Information Nisar A Memon, Secretary Information and other senior officials. Referring to the rumours that was delaying calling the new National Assembly, he said soon after receiving the summary from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the new assembly would be convened within 10 days.
President Musharraf said certain elements were spreading propaganda that the army was distancing from him, and added the fact was that these people neither had regard for the country nor the masses. "There is no distancing between me and the army. It is my army. It is the army of Pakistan. It cannot forget me as well as the masses of Pakistan," he said.
President Musharraf said those spreading dissention wished that there should be no peace in the country. President Musharraf asked the politicians to demonstrate sense of responsibility, and them to uphold peace. He said if there was no peace, there would be no development.
Governance should proceed along with development, he said, adding there were two factors important in his view - one is to maintain the country's economic stability and the other is to continue the war against extremism and terrorism.
He said there was a need for strong governments both at the Federal and provincial levels for the next five years to achieve this objective. He said the incoming government should be aware of the ongoing development schemes worth billions of rupees and that these schemes should continue.
President Musharraf expressed optimism that the economy of Pakistan would continue to flourish and schemes meant for welfare of the people would also continue. He said it was his wish that the incoming government should be a stable one should complete its term.
The President said a stable government and peace were the essential requirements of the day."If there is chaos and anarchy, the country cannot progress and we will have to stop it." The President said Pakistan's economy was growing and strong, but regretted that there were elements that were trying to hoodwink the people.
The President said the country's foreign exchange reserves were touching an all time high of 17 billion dollars, the exports were up to 18 billion-dollar mark, remittances up to 5.5 billion dollars, foreign direct investment (FDI) was eight billion dollars last year, while the revenues were touching one trillion dollars.
He said that these figures had been endorsed by the international institutions. The President said the country's economy was facing threats from three directions - rising international prices of fuel, the three time increase in prices of cooking oil and the pressure on the price of wheat - that had gone up by 22 per cent in the United States of America.
President Pervez Musharraf said there was now a gap between the fiscal deficit and the balance of payment. The President said it was now the responsibility of the new government to take the nation on the path of progress and prosperity and cut down the expenses, while keeping in view the poorest of the poor. "I hope the new government will understand their responsibility and do their best to achieve this objective," the President said.
He, however, said he would continue to fully support the incoming government. He said he was fully supportive of an independent and free media, but said it must play a responsible role and continue to report objectively.
Referring to the rumours of massive in the February 18 elections, he stressed the need for accountability of such elements, which were destabilising the state by spreading such rumours. The society should reject such elements, which were defaming Pakistan internationally and creating unrest among the overseas Pakistani, he added. The President pointed out that irresponsible reporting had cast a bad reputation for the country in the world.
He said Pakistan was a country with a rising economy, and asked why these people try to bring the country to disrepute through their allegations. Paying tributes to the Chief Election Commissioner and the caretaker government, the President said it was being stated in Frontier Province that the elections would not be held.
However, the election observers from all over the world came here and saw that there was a 45 per cent turnout. The President reiterated the government's commitment towards a better and safe future for Pakistani women, and expressed the hope that the newly elected government would further enhance and integrate the role of women in national development.
The President said: "Now we must concentrate on sustaining the economic growth and continue the fight against extremism and terrorism." He said that Multan was an 7,000-year-old city, which was enriched with its artistes, singers, writers, dramatists, folk singers and poets.
The television centre would help in promoting the cultural heritage of this area. "The media too must show responsibility as it is their duty not to let the nation get demoralised," he said. The President also appreciated the role the law-enforcement agencies for making the election process a success.
He hoped the PTV Multan centre would be fully functional in its own building in next few years and encourage the country's culture and history, besides providing quality entertainment and cultural promotion of the country.
He said it was the right of the area to have a television station for the people of this area. "Better late than never", the President added. After unveiling the plaque, the President visited the studios and a modern control room. He pressed a button to formally launch the centre.
In a brief chat in the studios, the President said he was very proud and pleased to inaugurate the centre, and added Multan was a city of saints and had a deep and rich culture and history. President Musharraf said he had served in Multan as a young officer and felt attached to the city.
He recalled he bought his first Vespa scooter for Rs 2,200. Punjab Governor Punjab Lt Gen Khalid Maqbool (Retd), caretaker Chief Minister former Justice Ijaz Nisar, Federal Information Secretary Anwar Mehmood, PTV Managing Director Yousaf Mirza Baig and the Italian Ambassador were also present on the occasion.