Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced on Thursday that
he intended to lift the state of emergency on Dec. 16.
Addressing the nation through state TV channels and radio
stations, Musharraf also said that the Provisional Constitutional
Order (PCO) would be removed and the constitution would be restored
on Dec. 16.
Musharraf on Nov. 3 proclaimed a state of emergency in the
country and promulgated the PCO, suspending the constitution. Under
the PCO, the then-Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and some
other judges were sacked and some restrictions were put on local
media.
Musharraf clarified that the emergency was imposed because the
country was facing terrorist attacks which was badly affecting the
economy.
He said the democratic process was moving ahead according to
program and major success had been achieved against militants and
terrorists.
"As a result of Nov. 3 decision of imposition of emergency the
country's overall situation has improved," Musharraf said.
Musharraf said he was determined to lift emergency and withdraw
PCO and fully restore the constitution of the country as a result
of improvement in the situation.
The general elections would be held on Jan. 8 under the
constitution in a fair, free and transparent manner, Musharraf
said, "No one would be allowed to disturb the election
process."
He urged political parties to participate wholeheartedly in the
forthcoming general elections.
Musharraf said Pakistan was currently stable economically and
the development in the country was actively moving at a fast pace.
He said he had put the country back on track and fulfilled the
promise of bringing democracy to Pakistan.
At a grand ceremony held in the garrison city of Rawalpindi,
Musharraf handed over the command of the army to General Asfhaq
Pervaiz Kayani on Wednesday.
Musharraf would stand retired after he relinquished the post as
army chief, a notification of the Ministry of Defense said.
Musharraf took oath as a civilian president at the Presidency
here on Thursday, starting another 5-year term.
"I believe Pakistan will grow stronger with me as a civilian
president and General Kayani as the chief of army staff," Musharraf
said in an address on Thursday morning.
(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2007)
