The New Nation - Internet Edition

Agencies

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has denied having consultations with former premier Benazir Bhutto on any kind of power-sharing deal.

Musharraf has also rejected the impression that Benazir could be the next Prime Minister of the country.

"How can you say before the elections that she would be the next prime minister? Who is telling you this?" he questioned. The Daily Times further quoted Musharraf as saying that the Pakistan's rural areas would decide that who would be the country's next Prime Minister. Commenting on the reported popularity of Benazir, Musharraf said, "Only a couple of hundred people outside her residence and at barricades and rallies. This is not a test of anyone's popularity." When asked what would be the future political set up, he said, "If her (Bhutto's) party wins, then she could be the Prime Minister, but that too depends on the position of other political parties."

Musharraf went on to say that the need of hour is to give equal opportunity to all the political parties in the forthcoming general elections, adding that it was up to the people to choose their future leadership.

The President has expressed hope that general election could be held before January 9 next year.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's opposition called on Gen. Pervez Musharraf to lift a state of emergency, saying Monday that upcoming parliamentary elections would be a sham unless citizens' rights were fully restored. Several parties were mulling a boycott.

Musharraf said Sunday he would stick to a January schedule for the polls but set no time limit on emergency rule, which has resulted in the arrests of thousands of his critics, a ban on rallies and the blacking out of independent TV networks. The measures, he argued, were necessary to ensure "absolutely fair and transparent elections."

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, speaking days after she was briefly put under house arrest, argued that it would make campaigning "difficult." Other opposition parties were more strident, saying Musharraf's sweeping powers would make a mockery of the democratic process.

Musharraf, who took power in a 1999 coup, appeared defiant but bitter at rising criticism of his decision to suspend the constitution just over a week ago, a step he says was necessary to combat rising Islamic militancy that had sown "turmoil, shock and confusion" in Pakistan.

"It was the most difficult decision I have ever taken in my life," Musharraf told his first news conference since declaring the emergency Nov. 3, voicing anger at those who questioned his commitment to democracy.

"I could have preserved myself, but then it would have damaged the nation. I found myself between a rock and a hard surface. I have no personal ego and ambitions to guard.