Musharraf sworn in as president
Pervez Musharraf embarked on a new, five-year term as Pakistan’s civilian president today.
His new role came after he ceded the powerful post of army chief – the basis of his rule for the past eight years.
“Congratulations, Mr President,” Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar said after a solemn-looking Musharraf had sworn his oath.
In his inaugural address, Musharraf welcomed as “good” for political reconciliation the return from exile of his old foes, former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
“I only hope that they will ... move forward toward a conciliatory, civilised, democratic and political environment in the future,” Musharraf said.
However, neither were present at the ceremony in the state palace in Islamabad, and it remained unclear whether the changeover would defuse the threat of a boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections. Such a move would undercut Musharraf’s effort to legitimise his rule through a democratic ballot.
“This is a milestone in the transition of Pakistan to the complete essence of democracy,” Musharraf told an audience of government officials, foreign diplomats and military generals. “Elections will be held in January come whatever may.”
Musharraf again sought to justify his imposition of emergency rule on November 3, during which he purged the Supreme Court just as it was about to issue a verdict on the legality of his continued rule. The retooled court last week gave its stamp of approval.
However, he gave no indication of when the emergency would be lifted – a key demand of both his domestic rivals and international backers, including the US.
“It is most unfortunate that some elements of the judiciary, the ex-chief justice, tried to derail this stage of democratic transition ... and this conspiracy was impacting negatively on the functioning of justice and the sovereignty of parliament,” Musharraf said.
“I had to act and I acted in the interests of Pakistan.”
Musharraf also said that stepped-up military action had “broken the back of the spread of terrorism” in the northwest.
Still, a military spokesman said five soldiers died and four were injured in the region on Thursday when a roadside bomb exploded next to a passing convoy.
