ISLAMABAD , 21 April — President Gen. Pervez Musharraf ruled out imposing a ban on any political party or taking action against any of them, but warned them not to issue threatening statements against the government or try to create law and order problems.

Talking to Arab News at the Army House, Rawalpindi, Musharraf said he would respect the verdict of the Supreme Court on the validity of the referendum and added, “I think it’s a constitutional step.”

He also ruled out the possibility of any change in the October elections. He said the referendum would have a positive impact on the country’s polity while creating a healthy environment for the general elections. It will also strengthen the reforms the government has undertaken.

The president kept his smiling demeanor during the 90-minute interview and was quick with his replies. He said that if everyone works to strengthen the reforms and structuring process he would support them. But if the forces opposing him start their “get him” activities in the Parliament then that would be “most unfortunate”.

He said he was striving for a prosperous, progressive, viable, dynamic, politically and democratically stable Pakistan, while dismissing offhand the criticism that Pakistan was a lost nation

“Like all nations we do have our problems, but we are not a lost nation,” he said.

Musharraf, while repeatedly emphasizing that the rule of the law will prevail, said the government is also considering moves to introduce a cap on the terms of office of the prime minister. “Nobody should assume the office of the prime minister for a third term (tenure), but we certainly want to introduce constitutional amendments in a way that they help the political process and democracy to take roots in order to avoid a repeat of derailing democracy.”

Shrugging off the emergence of new political alliances, he said: “There’s a difference between political parties and the people. My appeal is to the people. I do not think political parties have so much influence that they can confine people to their homes on the day of the referendum.”

“Anything above 30 percent turnout in the referendum would be good,” said the president.

Musharraf said “the law will take its own course,” when asked what action he would take if Nawaz Sharif or Benazir Bhutto come back to contest the elections. “We have not taken up this matter. First we have to find out whether Sharif and Benazir are qualified to take part in the elections. If the law permits them to contest the elections, I would follow the law.”

Musharraf avoided comment when questioned what he would do if somebody from Gawalmandi, Lahore, submits Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers. “We are looking into aspects of what role these two — Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto — will have in future politics. Views on such issues have not yet matured.”

On the referendum, he said the government is considering a proposal to invite foreign observers to monitor the process in order to make it fair and transparent. “We want maximum turnout. We want transparency and fairness,” he said.

While making a commitment to give full powers to the elected prime minister, Musharraf said if the house elects any person opposing him and pursues a path of confrontation, the situation would take the country back to the pre-1999 situation. “That would be most unfortunate,” he added. When pressed, in that case, whether he would impose martial law, he said: “There is no question of declaring martial law. We will follow the law of the land, and the judgment of the Supreme Court.”

When asked where power would rest if he continues to be the president and the chief of the army staff while governing with an elected premier, Musharraf said that the system of checks and balances will be worked out in such a way that the prime minister will be the commander in the overall concept of unity of command.

“Though I am COAS, the army is being run by the vice chief of the army staff, and at the moment I only look into important matters, as we are creating checks and balances for all including the president, prime minister and the COAS,” he said. “The VCOAS will act as COAS in the future, and he will represent the army in the National Security Council, and if the system works we will look into it after that,” he added.

Musharraf said that he found “genuine response” from the people to his public rallies. “The majority of the people have been supportive, as I am not only addressing rallies but meeting people in groups wherever I visit,” he said. Musharraf said people have attended his rallies in large number and this he found heartening.

The president warned political parties to stop issuing threatening statements as some of those are against national interest. Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Musharraf said he should stop making irresponsible statements.

The president said he was consulting provincial governors whether to allow political activities before the October elections.