Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day on Tuesday with a promise by President Pervez Musharraf to carry forward talks with India and to hold both provincial and federal elections in October 2002.
Musharraf said the exact date of the elections will be announced later on Tuesday when he addresses newly elected local councils. “I will give a clear roadmap to put in elected governments at the provincial and federal level by October 2002 in accordance with the Supreme Court judgement,” Musharraf told an Independence Day ceremony on the sprawling lawns of the white marble presidential palace.
“I salute the nation. I salute the people of Pakistan,” Said Musharraf. “We have to advocate tolerance, understanding of each other`s views and beliefs. The character and performance of a nation is the sum total of the performance and character of every one of its citizens.” Musharraf pleaded for tolerance and urged an end to sectarian violence, which has left scores dead in this mostly Muslim nation.
“We have to unite to shun sectarian forces, shun despondency and have faith in god and also in ourselves that we will be able to achieve great successes,” Musharraf said.
After raising the green and white Pakistani flag, Musharraf praised recently held local elections -- the first phase in the return of democracy to this nation.
Bureau Report