I am not a dictator, says Musharraf

President Pervez Musharraf has said that he is not a dictator, and added that Pakistan needed stability in order to overcome its current political problems.

Islamabad, Aug 31 : President Pervez Musharraf has said that he is not a dictator, and added that Pakistan needed stability in order to overcome its current political problems.

"I am not a dictator ... I have freed the media ... democracy is Pakistan's need," he said.

Musharraf said the National Security Council (NSC) keeps checks and balances on various organs of the state, and added that the people should approach the NSC instead of the Army Chief to sort out their grievances with the government.

Admitting that there was uncertainty in the country, he said people with vested interests were creating it.

He said he wanted to control such rumours in a "democratic manner", as there was "no dictatorship in the country".

The political uncertainty would end in the next three or four months.

"The political environment should remain stable before the elections," Musharraf told a PTV programme titled 'Aiwan-e-Sadr Sey'.

The Daily Times quoted Musharraf as saying that the presidential poll would be held between September 15 and October 15.

ANI