President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out resignation “under present circumstances” adding that he is not thinking of going abroad in exile.
“I will take a decision if at any time I felt that I cannot contribute anything of value to the country,” Musharraf told a select group of senior journalists in his first interaction with media since February 18 elections.
He said he was an elected President and could be removed only through constitutional means by two-third majority of Parliament. He would accept whatever Parliament decided within the parametres of the constitution.
He evaded direct answer to questions on Kargil and statements by Dr A.Q. Khan saying these were very sensitive matters involving state secrets and issues of confidentiality. He said whatever Dr Khan was saying now was wrong. He had put the country in an embarrassing situation with his proliferation activities, he added.
Expressing his concern over current downturn in the economy, Musharraf emphasised the need for urgent actions to stem the rot. He said the country was passing through a critical phase. “Unless some emergency measures are taken to stop the slide, I am visualising a horrific future for the country”.
In this context he reverted back to the question of quitting and said if the country was set on this disastrous path, "I would not like to preside over the downfall of Pakistan”.
On the constitution package that is aiming at clipping presidential powers, Musharraf reiterated that Parliament being sovereign it could make constitutional changes. "However, I would not like to be made a useless vegetable,” he observed, adding that he would then like to play golf than stay as President.
Musharraf defended all his actions and appeared to be shifting the blame of economic slide to the newly elected government and partly on international factors, including rise in oil prices. He said till last year the fundamentals of the economy were sound and the same situation persisted even today. It was up to the new government to take measures to overcome fresh challenges, he said while extending his full support to the Prime Minister in this endeavour.
He denied that he had sacked 60 judges. He said these judges did not take
oath under the new provisional constitution order (PCO) he promulgated after the imposition of emergency and were thus out of job. If Parliament reinstated them through two-third majority he would accept that decision, Musharraf said, but did not explain how the orders of one man to dismiss judges needed two-third majority of Parliament to undo them.
He also defended the emergency and repeated his argument that the judiciary had set itself in confrontation with other institutions that compelled him to impose emergency.
Musharraf said terrorism and economic challenges were two major areas of concern that needed delicate handling. Nobody should play politics with these two problems otherwise consequences would be disastrous.
He emphasised the need for reconciliation instead of confrontation. He told a questioner that he would not mind meeting even Nawaz Sharif but reminded the journalists that Sharif was using foul language and inciting people against him.
Asked if he would use Article 58-2b to dissolve the assembly if the situation went out of control, Musharraf said: "I am not an unstable person to do that”.
About the demand of his trial by ex-servicemen, including retired General Gulzar Kayani, Musharraf said this group was “violating military ethos, culture and discipline." He said he could expose each one of them but would not indulge in this practice. It was up to the army chief to ensure that army's discipline and ethos were not violated.
