ISLAMABAD, May 25: President Gen Pervez Musharraf reinvited on Saturday the politicians who had declined to attend the consultative meeting called on May 22 on the prevailing border situation with India.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day National Seerat Conference here, the president referred to the process of nationwide consultation, and said despite his personal disagreements and opinion, he invited all politicians in the best national interests.
The May 22 meeting, chaired by President Musharraf, was held to brief the politicians on the tense border situation and to consult them on the vital national issue of safety and defence of the country.
Prominent political leaders from across the country unanimously endorsed the efforts of the government for peace in the region, and declared their resolve to unitedly face any threat from across the border.
They also expressed their full confidence in the armed forces to meet any aggression against the country.
At the Seerat moot, the president regretted that a few of those invited at the May 22 meeting abstained. He said he was again inviting them to attend the meeting. Many people, he added, had asked him to reinvite these people and he had no reservation in this respect.
He said, “You want elections, democracy, I guarantee you that elections will be held, real democracy will come, elections will be held before Oct 12.”
The president, however, said: “It (elections/democracy) may be your (politicians) objective but at this critical juncture, Pakistan is important,” and cautioned against any harm to the country in pursuit of democracy.
At times, Musharraf said, one was required to prefer national interest over personal or ideological interest and today was exactly a time to demonstrate such a responsible behaviour.
“We need internal stability, we need political and economic consolidation,” he said.
“I made every effort to promote unity in the country,” Musharraf said. Referring to his last national address, he pointed out that he kept aside his personal differences and spoke about those things that promoted solidarity.—APP
