RAWALPINDI, May 12: President General Pervez Musharraf has ruled out any change in the government and described speculation in this regard as baseless. Talking to journalists after a ceremony held to confer the Hilal-i-Pakistan award on Shaikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan of the United Arab Emirates, the president asserted that no change in the government was being planned. He reiterated that general elections would he held in 2007.

President Musharraf said the country was witnessing normal political activities and the political situation was ‘quite alright’. About the award given to Shaikh Nahyan, the president said it had been conferred in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting economic relations between Pakistan and the UAE.

He said Shaikh Nahyan “is a friend and brother and has led efforts aimed at cementing fraternal relationship between the two countries”. The president said: “Pakistan and the UAE have common interests and common vision about whatever is happening in the world and our region. We have strategic partnership and linkages between us, which we want to further develop and cement our political and diplomatic bonds through a vibrant economic and commercial relationship.”

He described the conferment of the award as a “well-deserved acknowledgement” of the UAE leader’s contribution to promoting investments in Pakistan. “The Abu Dhabi Group has invested in the banking, real estate and telecommunication sectors and today’s award marks Pakistan’s recognition of Prince Nahayan’s services for fostering strong commercial and investment bondage between the two countries,” he said.—Agencies