ISLAMABAD, Sept 26: President Gen Pervez Musharraf claimed on Wednesday that he had given true democracy to the country for the first time while his predecessors had championed it only in name.

Speaking at an Iftar-dinner hosted by the outgoing Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence, Lt-Gen Ashfaq Kiani, the president reiterated his government’s resolve to eradicate all forms of terrorism and extremism, saying it was in the interest of the country.

The president said he was the first ruler who had introduced true democracy, run the government in a most democratic way and now was seeking the next term in presidency through the constitutional and democratic process.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Sayed, ministers and Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Ihsanul Haq Khan attended the function.

According to sources, about 300 people were present. Rawalpindi Corps Commander Lt-Gen Mohsin Kamal, other high-ranking military officers, a few bureaucrats and a large number of prominent personalities were also invited.

Diplomats from a number of non-Muslim countries, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, China and Scandinavian states were invited apart from the ambassadors from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Muslim states.

The gathering had attained added significance in view of Gen Kiani’s role in political dialogue with Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto as well as his name being taken as successor to Gen Musharraf in case he relinquished his post of army chief after re-lection as president.

However, no opposition leader or legislator attended the function.

The president, in his brief speech, said he was criticised for not fulfilling his promise of doffing his military uniform before December 2004 but the critics should be reminded that he was not bound by the Constitution to do that.