UNI
Islamabad, Nov 29: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday took oath as civilian president for the first time, a day after relinquishing command of the Pakistan army.
Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar administered the oath of office President Musharraf.
''I would like to announce that January 8 election will be held come hell or high water,'' President Musharraf said while speaking on the occasion, televised by the state-run Pakistan Television.
''It is indeed a historic and emotional day for me...This is a milestone in transition of Pakistan to compelete the essence of democracy,'' he added.
He said he had given up his position as army chief after 46 years in uniform, adding that he would cherish memory of his association with the army.
He paid rich tribues to new Army Chief General Asfaq Parvez Kiyani, saying he (Kiyani) is an officer of great professional acumen and qualities.
''I have full faith and trust in him and have no doubt that army remains comitted to nation building and protection of nation.'' President Musharraf said.
''I am sure that Pakistan will grow stronger with me as civilian president and Kiyani as army chief. We will protect the honour and dignity of the nation and sustain economic growth,'' he added.
Recalling a difficult situation that Pakistan faced when he took over in 1999, he said despite terror attacks of 9/11 and stand off on our eastern border, we marched ahead, sustained economic growth and held elections in 2002.
''We are in stage three of the transition that will last uptil January,'' he said, adding ''this stage involves presidential elections, issue of my uniform and holding of general elections.''
But this phase, he said, has been more turbulant due to judicial activism and a well thought out consipiracy.
The process was being derailed and the conspiracy was affecting functioning of the executive and sovereignty of parliament, he said.
This derailment could have led this nation to chaos. ''This was extraordinary circumstance needing extra-ordinary measures,'' he said justifying the imposition of emergency.
However, he said, the process of derailement has been checked and the third phase is now back on rails.
He said he would ensure holding of free, fair and transparent elections and to tackle insurgency and extremism. ''We had to defeat terrorism, failure is not the option, we only have to succeed and we will succeed inshallah (God willing).''
He welcomed the return of former Prime Ministers, saying he personally felt that it was good for political reconciliation.
Sending out a strong message to the West, he said it was not possible for his country to move the way West would like it in areas of democracy, civil liberties and human rights.
''We will do it our way. Pakistan would certainly like to move in these areas like the West did but I feel it will take time,'' he added.
''Our environment is different..Bear with us, we would like to move in that direction but it will take time,'' he said.
''Therefore, on behalf of developing countries and Pakistan, I would like to say we want democracy, human rights, civil liberties but will do it our way because we know our environment better than any one in the West".
''We will gradually keep shifting the course, help us do that,'' he told the western world, which has been pressing him to hang off uniform and hold free and fair elections.