ISLAMABAD, April 11: Interior minister Lt-Gen (Rtd) Moinuddin Haider on Thursday said political parties would not be allowed to hold public meeting at places where President Gen Pervez Musharraf had planned to do so.

However, such meetings can be conducted with prior permission of the authorities concerned, he said while talking to reporters after a function organized by Islamabad Patriotic Alliance at Super Market.

The decision has been taken to avoid any untoward incident, he said, adding, “Mutahidda Qaumi Movement is still holding public meetings because it has already obtained permission from the government.”

Earlier, speaking at the function, the minister said the government was committed to holding general elections. Rejecting an impression that the new prime minister will be a ‘puppet’, he said the elected person would be quite powerful.

Mr Haider said the presidential referendum would lead to a democratic culture in the country. Gen Musharraf, he added, had no intention to become the president, but he came into power to save the country from corrupt politicians and vested interests.

Highlighting policies and achievement of the government, he said foreign exchange reserves swelled by $5 billion, and the country had been saved from default.

A number of mega projects have been commissioned and National Accountability Bureau has recovered looted wealth amounting to Rs100 billion.

Strong leadership is necessary in all third-world countries, the minister said. Malaysia was founded 10 years after Pakistan gained independence, but despite having less area and population, its exports are 10 times more than that of Pakistan, he said.

The interior minister said President Musharraf could have extended his rule even without consultation with the nation, but he adopted a democratic way to undertake reforms in different sectors, and asked people to given their opinion through referendum.

He said, out of 60 million voters in the country, only 35 to 40 per cent cast votes and the remaining stayed home during elections. “But, this time, all voters should exercise their right to franchise in greater interest of the country,” he urged.