President General Pervez Musharraf has said that the next general election would be fair and transparent even without the participation of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. "Their (Benazir and Nawaz) parties will take part in the polls and there would be no impact if only two persons did not take part," the President told a private TV channel on Saturday night.
He said that parliament and provincial assemblies would complete their term for the first time in the country's history. He lashed out at those politicians who are calling for 'snap elections'.
"Next elections would be held on time," he said. He said that the democratic institutions in the country have consolidated, which was a sign of a country that was progressing and was on the rise.
The President said that the people should use their right of vote to elect people who are honest and committed to their welfare and the development of the country.
BALOCHISTAN: Replying to a host of questions about Balochistan, he vowed not to allow anyone to challenge the writ of the government.
He said there were anti-democracy and anti-government elements, which blackmailed previous governments. The President stated that he would never compromise with these elements and would not allow them to challenge the writ of the law.
He said that the government's strategy might have some short-term problems but would have benefits for the country in the long run.
He said that Balochistan was neglected in the past, but the present government announced an unprecedented development package of Rs 135 billion to bring the province at par with the other developed areas of the country.
Moreover, he said, besides the mega projects, there were many mini development packages, like for Dera Bugti and Kohlu of some Rs 3 billion. He said every district in Balochistan would get Rs 100 million. "This is the right of the people of Balochistan. The province should be brought in line with others," he said.
The government was taking steps to improve the living standard of the people through job creation, both at the provincial and federal levels.
PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY: The President said he favours provincial autonomy, adding that the demand for provincial autonomy was just and fair. He said he wanted resolution of the NFC award, but the provinces have not yet agreed. However, the provinces were getting billions of rupees under a system he put in place, he added.
AFHANISTAN: The President asked Taliban to quit militancy, saying that some elements in Afghanistan were deliberately ignoring the facts to save themselves. He advised the Afghan government to follow the precedent that Pakistan had set in its policy on North Waziristan.
TERRORISM: He said that Pakistan was following a holistic approach in the face of new environment to curb the twin menace of terrorism and extremism.
He underlined the need of understanding the environment and then framing a strategy to deal with terrorism and extremism. In this context he also referred to the peace deal the government signed with the tribal elders in North Waziristan region and said it was the way forward.
General Musharraf said that the international community had realised the need of addressing the underlying causes of terrorism that are mainly rooted in the unresolved political disputes, most importantly the lingering Palestinian issue.
The President said there was an increasing understanding in the world that the root causes must be addressed to weed out the menace of terrorism.
"There is now a growing realisation to address the root causes," he said and added that resolution of political disputes lay at the core of addressing terrorism.
PALESTINE: President Musharraf described Palestine as the core issue and said its resolution would have effects on Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon. "This issue (Palestine) is ripe for resolution," he added.
He said that the government and the people of Pakistan believe in an independent Palestinian state and that Pakistan would review its policy towards Israel if the Middle East peace process moved in a positive direction.
He said that the world had realised that addressing the resentment, which was the root cause of terrorism, was the best way to fight terror on a global scale, and added that the Palestinian issue was the primary cause of terrorism in the Middle East.
He also referred to his vision of "enlightened moderation" that calls for the Ummah to reject terrorism and extremism and urges the West to resolve political disputes and help Muslim countries in their socio-economic development.
EU-KASHMIR: The President said that the European Union (EU) attaches great importance to the issue of Kashmir. He said EU was a very important player in the world and during his recent visit to Brussels, where he met top EU leadership, he discussed in detail the need of resolving the lingering dispute for a durable peace in the region.
On Pakistan's ties with the United States, the President said the two countries had good relations, which were long-term and broad-based and were progressing well.
'IN THE LINE OF POWER': The President rejected criticism of his book and said there was no ban on a President to write book. He said that some so-called analysts were hurling criticism while sitting in drawing rooms.
INDIA: General Musharraf said that Pakistan should not compare itself with India because both countries have peculiar characteristics and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
He said that Pakistan had gained in stature in terms of its image in the comity of nations, and its role in international politics could not be ignored.