ISLAMABAD, March 23: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday expressed the confidence that October elections would lead to emergence of a selfless and sincere leadership dedicated to the development of the country.

“The forthcoming general elections would prove a milestone towards the fulfilment of that need,” he said, hoping that the leadership emerging out of elections would run a genuine democratic system in the country.

Addressing the nation over radio and television on the occasion of the Pakistan Day, the president recalled that it was because of courageous and selfless leadership that Muslims of South Asia attained independence and sovereignty in 1947, and pointed out that the vision of that leadership reflected aspirations of the entire nation. That leadership, he said, “gave us golden principles of faith, unity and discipline with their practice”. Pakistan today needed a similar leadership that could develop the country on modern lines, he stressed.

Gen Musharraf said the political movement launched by the Muslims under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in March 1940 had no precedence in history; it was not a mere independence movement. The first objective of the Pakistan Movement, he pointed out, was to get a separate national identity of Muslims recognized by the world community and then creation of a separate homeland for them. The creation of Pakistan through a peaceful struggle, he observed, was a miracle of the 20th century.

Referring to the Pakistan Day parade, he said, the parade is not being held this year “because our armed forces are on the borders, determined to offer every sacrifice to defend the motherland.”

Gen Musharraf said the situation on Pakistan’s eastern borders and the Line of Control was the product of India’s aggressive policies. “India has massed its troops on our borders and the Line of Control Line which is a threatening posture.”

The president assured the nation that all defensive measures had been adopted, “and our armed forces are in a position to see the enemy eyeball to eyeball”. Pakistan, he declared, wanted peace but would not allow any damage to its honour and prestige.

He said Pakistan believed that all problems, including the core issue of Kashmir, should be resolved through negotiations. However, he added, if India wanted to speak the language of force then Pakistan, by the grace of Allah, had full capability to deter any aggression. “If Pakistan is challenged, then the enemy will learn a lesson never to be forgotten.”

Gen Musharraf thanked the nation for extending its support to the armed forces in the defence of the country.

Referring to the law and order situation, the president said the government was determined to ensure safety of life and property of every citizen. He said the government was using all its resources to identify terrorism and root it out.

He said there was a need to bring about fundamental changes in the system. “We will have to improve the performance of the intelligence agencies. Their job is not only to inform, but to pre-empt and forewarn... well ahead of any unfortunate incident,” he said, adding “to improve their efficiency more attention will be paid on provision of modern equipment and necessary training”.

Also, he hoped, the judiciary would play its fullest part in reforming the system by overcoming its weaknesses.

He was confident that the government and people shared the view that the country had to be saved from the menace of terrorism and sectarianism, whatever the cost might be.

Referring to Ashura, he said the best way to commemorate the sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala was to promote love and affection among Muslims, and respect each other’s views.

He called upon the nation to make a pledge to foil designs of those elements that wanted to fan sectarian difference to create chaos. “Let us dedicate ourselves for security, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.”

He admitted that the government needed to do a lot for the betterment of the poor and middle class, and added that to wipe out poverty and bring prosperity, the government had initiated Khushali Bank, Poverty Alleviation Programme, Khushal Pakistan and construction of new dams, highways and ports.