Military, ISI should have no political role: Mush

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that the country's military and intelligence agencies should have no political role to allow an impartial and transparent general election in Pakistan.

The military ruler, who came to power eight years ago in a bloodless coup by ousting former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, is seeking a second term in the October 6 presidential poll. The general election was likely to be held within two months of November 15, when the present assemblies end their term.

Musharraf admitted that the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency has been involved in the political arena for the past five decades. Reiterating that he was going to give up his uniform after his re-election, Musharraf said, "Once my election takes places, before I take the oath, I will remove my uniform."

Responding to criticism that he was seeking re-election from national and provincial assemblies whose terms were about to end, Musharraf told a private TV channel in Pakistan that he will seek a vote of confidence from the new assemblies.

Admitting that a dialogue process was on with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party,  Musharraf also outlined a political reconciliation plan whereby cases against Sharif and other leaders would be withdrawn. "The dialogue process with PPP is a reality in the political arena and it cannot be ignored," he said.

On Wednesday, Bhutto had stated that her talks with Musharraf on a possible power sharing deal were completely stalled. "The present regime cannot salvage the situation.... I'm afraid we are heading for a situation that could lead to street agitation," she said.

Calling for an end to the politics of vendetta and victimisation, Musharraf said a rapprochement with Sharif and his PML-N party was possible after the general election.

On the stiff resistance by Opposition to his re-election bid, Musharraf said the electoral college for the presidential poll, comprising members of the National Assembly, Senate and four provincial assemblies, would not be affected by the resignation of lawmakers of the All Parties Democratic Movement alliance. He added, "The nation is facing several challenges, it is facing turmoil. I have a role to ensure a smooth transition."

Musharraf emphasised the importance of a national consensus and political reconciliation in the post-election scenario to tackle challenges like terrorism and extremism confronting Pakistan.

Responding to a question about Benazir Bhutto's comments that her party would allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to question disgraced nuclear scientist A Q Khan and the US to act against terrorist elements in Pakistan, Musharraf asserted: "The issue of A Q Khan is an internal matter. It is a sensitive issue and no non-Pakistani can speak to him or interview him. No outside forces will be allowed to operate in Pakistan. We have our own forces that are capable of dealing with our internal environment."