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Sunday, March 09, 2008

‘New govts should end politicking’

* Musharraf advises new rulers to focus on governance
* Will summon parliament after summary from EC
* Says army still backs him

MULTAN: President Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday that the new governments should end politics after they come into power and focus on economic progress and fighting terrorism. “These are very serious challenges,” Musharraf said at the launch of a new television station in Multan. “As soon as the governments are formed in the Centre and in provinces, this is the cut off when there should be less politics and governance starts,” he said. “Put politics on a back-burner.” He said a stable government and peace were essential for progress. “If there is chaos and anarchy the country cannot progress and we will have to stop it.” “A country where there is only politicking for the next five years, cannot move forward,” he added. “I hope the new government will understand their responsibility and do their best to achieve this objective.” The president said Pakistan’s economy was facing three major threats – from rising international fuel prices, from the threefold increase in cooking oil prices, and from the prices of wheat that had gone up in the US by 22 percent. He said there was a gap between the fiscal deficit and the balance of payment, that need to be filled. “If we have sincerity and will to push aside those who are trying to demoralise the nation, we can move forward,” he said. He said Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had reached an all time high of $17 billion, exports had increased to $18 billion, foreign remittances stood at $5.5 billion, foreign direct investment was $8 billion last year and revenues were touching the trillion-dollar mark. “Hard work, honest and sincerity to the purpose have gone down to achieve this,” he said. Parliament: The president said the Election Commission of Pakistan was to send him a summary through the caretaker prime minister, in line with the laid down procedure, for him to summon parliament. “As soon as I get it, the sessions of national and provincial assemblies will be summoned, without any delay,” he added. He said the people who had alleged that the February 18 polls would be rigged should now be held accountable after the allegations proved wrong. Such people must be held accountable,” the president said. He said certain people were creating a sense of despondency appearing on television talk shows and writing in newspapers. “Such people must be excommunicated from the society,” the president said. “The media too must show responsibility as it is their duty not to let the nation get demoralised,” he said. Army: President Musharraf denied claims of a rift between him and the army, and said they were being spread by people who wanted to destabilise Pakistan. “It is absolutely wrong that the army is distancing itself from me. There is no truth in it,” AFP quoted him as saying. He said he had served in Multan as a young officer and had bought his first scooter for Rs 2,200 when he was in the city. agencies
Courtesy Daily Times

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