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War between presidency, newly elected parliament to be catastrophic: Musharraf |
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ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has said that political stability is his top priority and that a war between the presidency and the newly elected parliament would be catastrophic.
I’m looking forward to working with this government for the full five years," Mr. Musharraf said in an interview with The Washington Times.
"Even my harshest critics have agreed that the recent elections were free and fair. Now, I want to build on that."
Casually dressed in an open-collar shirt, Mr. Musharraf scoffed at speculation in the Pakistani press that he would attempt to derail the results of Feb. 18 elections by using his constitutional powers to dismiss parliament, or not call parliament into session.
"You think someone who has spent his entire adult life defending Pakistan and the past eight years trying to put democracy back on track wants to see the government fail and the country return to political anarchy? "No. I’m committed to making this work."
When asked in the interview about pressure to step down, Mr. Musharraf replied: "The elections clearly pointed out that the Pakistan Peoples Party currently enjoys the highest percentage of the people’s confidence, no question. Reading more into it than that is risky."
The president listed his three top priorities: political stability, the continuation of the country’s economic development and success in the war on terrorism.
"You’ll notice that I listed political stability first, because without that, you cannot have the other two," he said.
"Can you imagine what the effect would be on the business community, both foreign and domestic, or in the capitals of nations allied with us in the war on terror if the first thing they saw after this election was a political war between the presidency and the government? I think it would be catastrophic."
Mr. Musharraf was asked to reflect on his past eight years in power.
"Obviously, the economy is in far better condition than it was when I first took office," he said. "That didn’t happen by accident. I think I made some very sound appointments, and the people I appointed did quite well.
"I’m also proud of what has been done to expand the role of women in politics. There are now 60 seats reserved for women in the National Assembly. Those seats, added to those won by women on party tickets, give women a strong say in legislative affairs.
"And, of course, I’m proud of the way the recent elections were conducted."
Turning to things that could have been done better, he said he didn’t always do a good job of explaining exactly what he was doing and why.
"But I’m not certain it would have made that much difference if I had," he said. "I think that a number of people in the media could never see past the uniform."
Meanwhile talking to his legal advisors and close aides in president camp office he said, "I am eager to work with incoming government with good intent. Cordial relations will be forged with the new government within legal and constitutional framework. National and provincial assemblies sessions will soon be summoned". They exchanged views on the legal implications of Murree declaration reached between PPP and PML-N.
The constitutional advisors told the president during the meeting that judges sacking step enjoyed constitutional protection. A parliamentary resolution on reinstatement of these judges will not work, they told. A two-thirds majority was needed in national assembly and senate for restoration of judges, they further told.
Constitutional advisors told the president November, 3 steps could not be nullified without two thirds majority in both the houses. Former ruling PML-Q and its allied parties enjoyed majority in senate and they will not allow this step to succeed, they added.
President warned some elements were still conspiring to sabotage the democratic process but they will not be allowed to succeed at any cost. I had planted the sapling of democracy and I will not let it be affected at any cost", he announced.
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