Pakistan has tight control on N-assets: Musharraf
*Admits getting surface-to-air missiles from N Korea; denies defence ties with Iran; says Pakistan to become financial hub
OTTAWA: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan has never done nuclear proliferation nor will it allow this in future as its command and control system is very tight and the country’s strategic assets will never fall into wrong hands.
Addressing a gathering organised by the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies (CISS) on Thursday here the president said certain foreign quarters are trying to cast aspersions on Pakistan. He added that Pakistan never had defence relations with Iran.
North Korea, he said, provided Pakistan surface to air missiles, which, he pointed out, were only for defence purpose. Now Pakistan has no defence relations with North Korea, he assured the gathering.
About Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s visit to India, he said he has conveyed Pakistan reservations to President Bush on this. During his meeting with President Bush in New York, he asked the US leader to realise the sensitivity of this issue.
He told a questioner that he does not mind if Indian lobbies are working against the interests of Pakistan. Rather, he added, he would advise the Pakistani lobbies to work for their country. On the subject of terrorism, he said, “we are fighting internal and external problems relating to sectarianism, misuse of religion through a certain number of Madrassas.”
Madrassas have been asked to get themselves registered and teach other subjects too, to the students there. He said Pakistan has increased education budget by 3000 per cent in the budget for higher education.
Pakistan, he said, joined the coalition against global terrorism and did a lot to fight terrorism. However, he said, there are misconceptions in the West particularly with regard to freedom struggle in occupied Kashmir and Palestine.
They should correct their misconception and join the efforts being made for peace in world, he said. He underlined that to uproot terrorism, the world should look into causes of terrorism. President General Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday he believes in sustainable democracy in Pakistan, stating that democratic system has been taken down to the grass roots level for this objective.
The president was addressing members of Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies (CISS). In his about one-hour extempore address, the president replied to questions concerning Pakistan and a host of international issues.
He said in the last decade there was political instability and four prime ministers and three presidents were removed as democracy remained dysfunctional. The two prime ministers, who enjoyed two terms each, engaged in loot and plunder of the national wealth, he said. President Musharraf said every time the Pakistan Army chief was asked by the people and certain politicians to intervene. Even the chief justice of Pakistan was assaulted during their so-called democratic governments.
The president recalled that in 1999 Pakistan was being described as a failed state which was about to default on loan payments as the country’s foreign exchange reserves had slided to 300-400 million dollars.
The economy was in shambles in all its aspects, he pointed out. Corruption was rampant and various important public sector organisations were on the verge of bankrupcy, he added. He said that all macro-indicators are now positive, adding that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have touched the mark of eleven billion dollars, whereas foreign debt is now decreasing by two and a half billion dollars every year.
He said when he came into power the total foreign debt was 38 billion dollars and now it has come down to 35 billion dollars. By the end of present financial year it would be reduced further, he added. “Pakistan’s annual GDP growth is now 5.1 percent and exports have broken all the previous records. The main Karachi Stock Exchange has been declared as the best performing exchange,” he stated.
During the question-answer session, the president said he is a soldier and has seen people dying during wars. “Pakistan wants a peaceful solution of all problems including the core issue of Kashmir.”
If a solution to the long running dispute is not found, the present situation would continue, he said. Pakistan has even suggested to accept troops sent by the United Nations, he said and added that they should be allowed to patrol both sides of the Line of Control.
However, he said, the Indian response is in the negative. He mentioned a step by step approach which could help resolve Kashmir dispute. First, he said, Pakistan and India should start talking. Then accept it as central dispute and resolve it in a peaceful manner and through the process of elimination all those options which are not acceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmiris. Then, he said, a solution acceptable to all parties could be found.
President Musharraf said that the perception of the West about Islam is wrong. Islam is a way of life. It preaches human rights, freedom of speech and expression, democracy, equal rights to minorities, he said. He said, Islam is secular and is futuristic. It guides in all matters and projecting it as pro-extremism is totally wrong and unrealistic.
Musharraf invited on Wednesday the well-placed overseas Pakistanis with specific reference to those in Canada to invest in Pakistan where now the economy is stable and currency gaining strength with the passage of time.
The president was speaking at a dinner hosted by the Canadian Pakistanis at a local hotel here who had come from all parts of Canada. Musharraf went soon after his arrival from New York this evening to the hotel where dinner was hosted in his honour.
“Pakistan had been maintaining foreign exchange reserves of 200-300 million in 1999. Today, the grace of Allah the foreign exchange reserves have touched the mark of more than $ eleven billions,” he said.
He said that Pakistan is geo-strategically now centre of attraction of the international community. “We have been reconstructing good infrastructure facility and business friendly environment,” he stated.
President Musharraf said Gwadar port, newly constructed roads, communication infrastructure guarantees have created friendly environment for investment in Pakistan. He accused the extremists who destroyed glorious past of Muslims four centuries ago.
He said he believes in “moderate enlightenment” and shunning extremism and militancy. He wants to create correct perception in the world. He said Pakistan is now capable to have money for 11 months import, whereas, he added, India has the same position despite boasting to have huge foreign exchange reserves.
Dilating on wrangling between the government and opposition, he said, they have become laughing stock due to their puerile wishes in the parliament. He said, “We must remove pitfall and political situation. LFO has become contentious. The major dispute with the opposition is his uniform.” He said he would divest himself to lay down the uniform. But he added the opposition should not insist on it. He would shed uniform as soon as he is convinced he need it no more.
There is also controversy on National Security Council and his power under Article 58(2)B, Musharraf said and added he is doing it with good intention that in future there should be no martial law and democratic institutions become stable.
He said the people in the parliament are not mature, adding it is the army and stable economy, which would give strength to democratic institutions. He referred to religious madrasas and said this is to be checked.