An army-less backed civilian govt cannot counter extremists: Musharraf

President Pervez Musharraf has said that no civilian government can hope to fight the threat of terrorism in Pakistan without the help of army.

Islamabad, July 19 : President Pervez Musharraf has said that no civilian government can hope to fight the threat of terrorism in Pakistan without the help of army.

Talking to a select group of media owners and editors at his Camp Office in Rawalpindi on Wednesday night, he ruled out the possibility of imposing emergency in the country, and said Pakistan and its people were his priority.

Reiterating that the general elections would be held on time, Musharraf said that prior to elections, a caretaker government would be set up.

He also said that would seek re-election as President for a second time in uniform.

According to the Daily Times, Musharraf hoped the general elections would return moderate elements to Parliament with whom he would work to develop a greater national consensus to restore credibility of the political system.

He requested the media to put national interest above personal or business compulsions, and appealed to them not to sympathise with extremists.

Commenting on the Lal Masjid issue, he said the government would not allow any more Lal Masjids.

He vowed to crush extremists with a combination of military, political and religious strategy.

ANI