ISLAMABAD, 19 January 2008 — Amid opposition demands for an independent election commission and fears of widespread rigging by the caretaker government, President Pervez Musharraf yesterday insisted that the Feb. 18 general election will be free, fair and peaceful.
Addressing journalists and writers at the presidential palace. Musharraf said voicing fears about rigging even before the polls have opened is premature. He said no one would be allowed to disturb the law and order situation in the country before or after the elections.
Musharraf said he had no intention of meeting any political leader before the election. He would meet them after the election for the formation of the next government with national consensus.
The president also dismissed reports that he would meet Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Shahbaz Sharif in London.
Calling Benazir Bhutto’s assassination an irrecoverable national loss, he said the Scotland Yard team was investigating the case and that everybody should wait for a final conclusive report by the agency.
President Musharraf reaffirmed that his country did not need foreign help in securing its nuclear assets and said the fears of the international community over the issue were entirely baseless.
