Musharraf rules out martial law, emergency in Pak

President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out both martial law and emergency in Pakistan.

Islamabad, Aug 22 : President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out both martial law and emergency in Pakistan.

He told PML-Q leaders here that general elections would be held on time, as he had promised the world on this.

PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain again advised Musharraf to extend the tenure of the assemblies for one year by declaring a state of emergency, sources said.

Musharraf's aides and other participants of the meeting were displeased by Hussain's suggestion, the sources said.

Musharraf said the PML-Q and its allies must compete with the opposition and defeat it in elections, as there was no question of imposing emergency or for postponing elections.

He also confirmed that the presidential election would be held before the general elections, as this was necessary for the continuation of policies introduced during his tenure.

According to Aaj TV, the meeting also discussed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's petition to the Supreme Court seeking his return from exile.

The Daily Times reported that the government has decided to present the agreement signed by Sharif to the Supreme Court.

Sources said that Attorney General Justice (retired) Malik Qayum would submit the agreement in the chamber of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Meanwhile, Musharraf said that Pakistan would implement the decisions taken at the Pak-Afghan Joint Peace Jirga held recently in Kabul.

He hoped that the involvement of tribal and religious leaders from both sides would help promote peace and check illegal border crossings.

ANI