President General Pervez Musharraf said here on Saturday that the government, nation and judiciary should be in conciliatory mode for Pakistan's stability and smooth run-up to the upcoming general elections.
Talking to All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) executive committee members at the Presidency before his departure for Kabul to attend Afghan jirga, he termed the next three months as critical, and stressed the need for an effective strategy to meet political and economic challenges upfront.
The president said he was concerned over slow economic progress, and wanted the government to seize downslide to maintain existing pace of growth for the benefit of the people.
He said that for the first time since his take-over the international rating agencies had reported downturn in Pakistan's economy, which was a cause of concern for him. He said that stability and transformation of the economy was a prerequisite for transmitting its benefits to the people of Pakistan.
He deplored that Pakistan's two key allies in war on terrorism had issued travelling advisories, suggesting to their citizens to stay away from Pakistan. He said that such negative statements made adverse effect on Pakistan to slow down its pace of economic growth.
He said Pakistan had fetched $6.7 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2006-07, and it targets $10 billion FDI in 2007-08. He said FDI has a snowballing effect on the economy as it encourages many more parties/companies to bring investment to a number of new areas to quicken the pace of progress of any country.
President Musharraf said that the Sharifs, Benazir Bhutto (BB) and Altaf Hussain should not come to Pakistan prior to presidential and general elections. His argument in support of the demand was that return of the exiled and self-exiled political leadership before the presidential and general elections could create political and social turmoil that could result in Pakistan's instability.
He added that post-election environment would be conducive for their comeback. The President ruled out the possibility of martial law, and said that he does not believe in any such step, in the given situation. However, on the question of emergency, he said that the option was talked about on August 8, but it was not exercised for various reasons. He dispelled the impression that the option of emergency was put off on the intervention of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He said that Rice had phoned him twice during daytime on August 8, but her calls could not be made through, and since in the afternoon consultations had started on emergency, she could reach him on telephone at midnight.
He said that the US State Secretary discussed with him the issue of Afghan jirga and his presence. The President said Rice wanted him to attend the Afghan jirga to make it a success to address several bilateral issues between Kabul and Islamabad, besides creating a better understanding between the two governments on anti-terror campaign.
He said that the voters' list and condition of national identity card for voting were something between the government and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and they should sort it out in such a manner that all parties to the issue accept it with an open mind and heart.
He said that present assemblies will elect him as President for the 2nd term. However, he will seek endorsement of his election from the next assemblies. APNS team greeted President General Pervez Musharraf on his 64th birthday.