Pakistan Views

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain called on President Musharraf at the President House in Islamabad. “The president has consented that Chaudhry Shujaat will continue to lead the Pakistan Muslim League-Q”, sources said. The leader of opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhry Wajaat Hussain and senator Muhammad Ali Durrani also attended the meeting that was continued for three hours.The meeting was held amidst speculations of handing over the PML-Q top office to Pir Pagara or Hamid Nasir Chattha.The president had also met Hamid Nasir Chattha on Wednesday.

President Musharraf has said extremism cannot be eliminated as long as economic inequality persists.In his inaugural speech at the 13th COMSTECH Assembly in Islamabad Musharraf called for end of discriminatory distribution of economic resources in the world to eliminate extremism and the sense of deprivation.The President also said the Muslim world must initiate dialogue with the West to clear current misperceptions.Speaking on economic issues — President Musharraf said the world’s Muslim population stands at about 19 % but Muslim states contribute less than 9 percent economically. . . He added that the technology gap between the east and the west was widening.He called for respect to all faiths and beliefs. He advised the Muslim nations to boost collective efforts for optimum utilization of their resources.

President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday urged the youth to get education for the country development and bright future.He was addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of an engineering university to be completed at a cost of Rs 300 million on an area of 500 acres, in Kala Shah Kaku.President Musharraf stressed upon the nation to follow Islamic teachings to foil the designs of terrorists and play role in ensuring peace and brotherhood in the country.
He said every Pakistani should join hands with the government in eliminating terrorism and have tolerance in their lives to counter extremism.Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool (Retd), Chief Minister Ejaz Nisar, Inspector General Azhar Hassan Nadeem, Chief Secretary Salman Siddiq and district nazim Jalil Sharqpuri were also present.Later, President Musharraf laid foundation-stone of the university.

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.

President Musharraf has fulfilled his promise of free, fair and timely elections, Pakistan Attorney General here said.
Talking to Geo News here Malik Qayyum hoped that the winning parties would form a stable democratic setup with mutual understanding.
Responding to a question he said the people have great expectations with the new government the winners have to implement their party manifestoes.
He said the legal issues would be resolved through constitutional methods.
Qayyum visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Umra.

President Pervez Musharaf has said that the deposed judges would not be restored in any circumstances and a situation will not crop up prompting parliament to restore them since any change in the present status will require two-thirds support in House for such a move. The president was wearing a black sweatshirt with jacket. He was in an upbeat and relaxed mood. He shook hands with the staff of the restaurant and came to the hotel without any protocol or security.
To a question, President Pervez Musharraf said that the presumption of dissolving the next National Assembly in case it opts to restore the deposed judges of the superior courts is out of place. No parliament would like to remove sitting judges of the court. He disclosed that the Supreme Court would be attaining its full strength soon with two more judges being inducted shortly. “A two-thirds majority will be needed to amend the Constitution. The incumbent judges are holding their offices in accordance with the constitution”, the president said.
The president’s attention was drawn to the testimony of the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher in a hearing at Capitol Hill wherein he stated that President Musharraf would dissolve parliament if it tries to restore the deposed judges. This act of the president would be in line with the Constitution. The president assured that this stage would never come.
To a another query President Pervez Musharraf said that the turnout in the upcoming polls was expected to be lower but the government would provide full security to the voters and other people. “In-fact the candidates bring the voters to the polling stations. I am sure they will succeed in their efforts as the elections are hotly contested”, he added. the president was of the view that despite this, it would not be a discouraging turnout. He said that the polls would take place on the 18th of this month come what may. The government is fully determined to hold the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner in a peaceful environment.
The president said that people would give a sensible verdict by choosing their representatives who could deliver in a befitting manner and who can look after the national interest in the best possible way.
He parried a question about Dr. A Q Khan who has been given some concessions recently. Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ehsanullah Khan was also with the president at the dinner.

President Pervez Musharraf accused Pakistan’s enemies on Friday of spreading fears about the country’s atomic weapons, as Pakistan army test-fired a nuclear-capable missile, the army said.

“We have taken note of various imaginary scenarios being propounded by those who do not wish Pakistan well. Such elements have never reconciled to a nuclear Pakistan,” an ISPR statement quoted President Musharraf as saying.

President Musharraf said Pakistan was capable of thwarting all threats to its sovereignty and nuclear capability, and urged “such elements” to be cautious, according to the statement.

He made the comments after witnessing the launch of the intermediate-range Ghauri (Hatf V) missile.

The missile, which has a range of 1,300 kilometers (807 miles), was launched at the end of annual field training exercises.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kiyani, senior military officers and scientists also witnessed the test, the statement said.

General Kiyani made similar comments at the launch of another missile a week ago when he dismissed “unrealistic” fears that Pakistan’s nuclear warheads could fall into the wrong hands.

President Musharraf congratulated the team behind the latest launch on “achieving high standards of training and excellent results.”

“The nation has developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expects that officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence,” he said.

President Pervez Musharraf returned here Tuesday morning at the conclusion of his four-nation visit to European countries: Belgium, France, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
The President was received at PAF Base Chaklala by caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, caretaker Minister for Information Nisar Memon and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani besides other senior civil and military officers.
Talking to reporters in London prior to flying back home, President Musharraf termed his visit helpful in consolidating political and economic ties at bilateral and regional levels.
The President expressed satisfaction over his meeting with the leadership of the two countries, interaction with media, talks with business executives and members of Pakistani community.
President Musharraf assured the world community that the country was moving on the right track, stemming out militancy in some tribal areas and maintaining economic sustainability besides commitment to hold free, fair and transparent elections in peaceful atmosphere on Feb 18.
Regarding his participation in the World Economic Forum at Davos, President Musharraf said he availed the opportunities with top multinational companies for bringing more investment in Pakistan.
President Musharraf said he assured the leaders of the friendly countries, media and business representatives that the efforts to destabilize the country would never succeed as Pakistan’s armed forces and security agencies were strong enough to protect their homeland.
He said all institutions of the country were functioning smoothly and there would be no problem in completing the process of democratic transition on the scheduled date.
The President expressed the confidence that a moderate and stable government would come into power on February 18, and certainly executive powers would be handed over to majority party.
He emphatically said that absolutely there would be no difficulty for him to work with any government in total harmony, keeping high the country’s larger interest.