President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday terming the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) a milestone, said it will lay the foundation for political future of the country.
"It is a conviction-based document and not need-based - it is general and applies to all politicians to ensure a free and transparent election," the President said in a live PTV Q&A programme on the eve of the Presidential election about the ordinance that gives amnesty to politicians and bureaucrats.
The President responded to direct telephone calls and emails from the public, parliamentarians and professionals during the hour-long Presidential Election Special Transmission that covered the political situation, the high prices of everyday commodities and development projects.
The President termed the Supreme Court decision earlier in the day as "positive" that gave a go ahead to October 6 presidential election, but barred issuance of the official results till the announcement of final judgement. He said the judgement has also recognised that the current parliament will choose the next president.
"I hope the Supreme Court will give a balanced judgement, after hearing both the sides," the President said. To a question about the need for the NRO ordinance, the President said the country faced several challenges and it was a time to move ahead from the days of politics of victimisation and politics of vendetta.
President Musharraf recalled the time when there was stiff confrontation between the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff and said with the threats of extremism and terrorism looming, there was a need for political consensus and reconciliation.
When asked whether the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be part of the NRO, he said "it is a transition phase - there should be reconciliation with everyone." He said the run up to the presidential election and the general elections should be smooth and harmonious.
"After the election, we will see about (Nawaz's) return and reconciliation," President Musharraf said. The President said his entire focus was on national and political reconciliation and good governance. "I will take two steps forward, if someone wants reconciliation," the President said.