No hesitation to quit if it can solve country’s problems: Musharraf
'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

KARACHI: President Pervez Musharraf on Friday night said he will not hesitate for a minute to resign if it can help resolve the challenges facing the country like economic crisis, terrorism and extremism threat, and political turmoil.

“Believe me, I would have resigned four months back, had it been to the benefit of the country and the nation ,” he said while addressing businessmen at an annual dinner hosted by the Business Community of Pakistan forum at a hotel here.

He said that his resignation is not a solution to the national issues, rather it would create a good leadership problem that the country cannot afford.

“People of Pakistan want my stay and the country needs me,” President Pervez Musharraf asserted. He rebutted the rumour mongers who he said were bringing political and economic instability in the country by spreading false news about his quitting the Presidency and flying to some foreign country to seek political asylum.

“There were rumours that I was to resign within next 48 hours. I have been surrounded by armed forces at the Army House. A plane is ready at Chaklala Airbase to take me abroad.

But no such thing happened so far,” the President said adding that he was not afraid of any one or any thing but Allah Almighty. He said he was not going anywhere as he had not stolen any thing, nor had he looted the national exchequer.

He would die in the country. President Pervez Musharraf said he had no residence abroad and had even no money for the same.

The army is standing with him as he had served and commanded this prestigious force for forty years with all professional excellence, honesty and sincerity, he said.

“It will be the last day of my life if the army shows distrust on me and surrounds me,” he said. He strongly criticised those who are speaking against him.

'They are doing a dis-service to the country by maligning the Presidency, which is the symbol of the nation’s unity and solidarity', he said by adding that he could speak a lot for each of them but he would not do so in the interest and for the sake of dignity of the country.

The President stressed on promotion of national harmony and re-conciliation by shunning all differences and rising beyond personal likes or dislikes of the past. The reconciliation is the name of the game.

If we would get involved in personal vendetta, the country would be pushed into more economic crisis and terrorism/extremism any other threats/problems, he said.

President Pervez Musharraf said the country was rich in resources including very efficient and hardworking manpower, and it needs a good leadership.

He said he would be the happiest person if coalition Government provides good governance and perform according to the people’s satisfaction and expectations.

He said we got Pakistan after a long struggle and rendering of many sacrifices by our ancestors.

Thanks to them, he said, who saved the new generations of Muslims of the sub-continent from remaining under the control and exploitation of Hindus.

President Musharraf emphasised for collective and sincere efforts for solidarity and prosperity of the country.

The President advised the political parties to avoid agitational politics and focus on real issues like economic and political instability, threat of terrorism and extremism, national disharmony, which were eating away the country like termite.

He defended the action of his last Government in Balochistan saying that unfortunately there was increasing tendency of separatism.

No Government should tolerate such tendencies. Federal and Provincial Governments and the forces showing total harmony should unite their actions to save the country from this cancer of separatism and disharmony.

Political stability is must for the economic stability and prosperity in the country, he said.

The President said we would have to stop the flight of capital and attract foreign investors once again. Interest rate and the inflation issues would be dealt with professionally and that a balance would be kept.

Twelve billion dollars foreign investment was expected this year but went down drastically, he noted.

Clarifying why the last interim Government did not increase petroleum prices in proportion to price hike in the international oil market instead of passing on the impact to the new elected Government, President Musharraf said we thought the price can rise up to $ 72 dollar per barrel from Rs 63 and that the elections would be held in the second week of December 2007.

That our economy was strong enough to absorb the POL prices hike. We did not know that the price would cross $ 100 per barrel and that the elections would be postponed due to ‘Shahadat’ of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he said.

He highlighted the achievements of the last elected Government like high GDP growth and significant increase in revenue.

He said high income can be achieved through high production and remittances, privatisation, international bonds and portfolio of shares.

We can sell our pieces of papers in the international market only when there is stability in the country.

He urged the business community to play their historic role in bringing the country out of the economic crisis like they played after the independence when it was feared that the country’s system would collapse due to shortage of resources.

President Pervez Musharraf said terrorism and extremism have domestic and international dimensions which could be tackled by pursuing a three-pronged strategy initiated by him four years back.

This strategy is based on military action, political dialogue and socio-economic uplift of the area.

Referring to FATA where some foreigners were allegedly involved in terrorist/ extremist activities along with local Taliban sections, President Musharraf said the Government was continuing the past government’s policies to deal with the terrorists.

There are local Taliban in certain districts of NWFP and they should be stopped to avert emergence of other ‘Lal Masjids’.

He expressed his satisfaction that majority people in NWFP voted for moderate forces in the last elections.

“The people of NWFP also resist / reject talibanisation,” he said. The President said he was almost silent during last three months under a well-calculated plan.

However, he said, he was concerned over the deteriorating economy, political turmoil and the threat of terrorism/ extremism to the country.

President Musharraf thanked the business community for showing full confidence in him and for assuring all support to him to deal with socio-economic and political issues.

“You are my source of courage and my resolve /determination for the country has strengthened further, “ he said.

He noted the business community had rightly pointed out the problems facing the country on economic and political fronts.

All these crises and challenges can be settled with the cooperation and support from the business community which is a great power of the country.

He assured more interaction with the business community on all issues leading to economic stability and prosperity, and solidarity of the country.

Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan acknowledged that the business community have made public their grievances relating to trade and industry after losing patience over last three months.

He appreciated that the business community has worked a lot for the country’s development.

A strong President is must for a strong Pakistan, Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad said.

He criticised certain section of electronic media for, what he said, airing incomplete or false news on the issues of national importance.

He was critical over present Sindh Government for intervening in the affairs of CDGK like in KWSB and Building Control Authority.

He appreciated the cooperation from the business community. Former Chairman of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Mian Zahid Hussain pleaded for long stay of Pervez Musharraf as the President for the good of the people, country and democracy.

He praised the Sindh Governor and Nazim CDGK, Mustafa Kamal for their services to industry and trade, and for socio-economic uplift of Karachi.

Abdul Haseeb Khan criticised the campaign against President Pervez Musharraf .

He appealed to the political parties to focus on the real issues like growing inflation, un-employment, deteriorating law and order situation.

Chairman, North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry, Captain (Retd) Moiz acknowledged the achievements of President Pervez Musharraf in economic, social and political sectors.

Senior Vice President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a former president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Iftikhar Ali Malik informed the President about the many problems facing the industry and trade in the country leading to decline in investment—both local and foreign - and the exports.He sought his support for strengthening the industry and trade.

He praised the President for his work on economic and political stability and consistency of democratic system in the country.

Chairman of Khalid Tawab firm, Khalid Tawab requested the President to extend his support in getting another development package for Karachi to complete the remaining development work there.

Ex-president Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Majyed Aziz assured full support to the President on behalf of the business community.

He described President Musharraf as symbol of national harmony and unity, and emphasized that Pervez Musharraf should stay in office as long as possible for the greatest benefit of the country.