No emergency, polls will be held on time: Musharraf

Ruling out any possibility of declaring a state of emergency in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said that the general elections slated for later this year will not be postponed. However, the presidential poll will be held before the general election, said the president.

"We are resolved to hold elections in a fair and transparent manner.  The government which comes to power should complete its five-year term so that continuity in policies is ensured to counter the challenges being faced by the country," said Musharraf.

"Only in a stable political environment can the government generate a five-year development programme and focus on achieving its targets," he added.

Musharraf also urged the ruling party and its allies to compete with the opposition and defeat it in the upcoming elections as "there is no question of imposing emergency or postponing elections".

Underlining the need for political reconciliation, he said, "Our potential to deal with any external threat must always remain intact. At the same time, the government must be able to maintain security from internal threats."

"Pakistan's approach of rapprochement with India and stabilisation of the situation in Afghanistan and in border areas would ensure progress unimpeded by retrogressive forces," added Musharraf.