Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said in a
national address that his country has been put on the path of
development.
"We empowered people, women, minorities and youth," said
Musharraf, who lifted the state of emergency in the country on
Saturday.
Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf delivers his nationally televised address, Saturday,
December 15, 2007 in Islamabad. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Talking about the emergency rule in the country, Musharraf said
that visible and positive changes have been witnessed during the
emergency period. The terrorism spreading in tribal areas has been
contained, he said.
The third phase of democracy, which was derailed, is now back on
track, Musharraf said.
He also pledged that the general elections would be held on time
and would be free and fair.
Musharraf proclaimed a state of emergency in the country and
proclaimed a provisional constitutional order (PCO) on November 3,
suspending the constitution and sacking then-Chief Justice Iftikhar
Muhammad Chaudhry and several other Supreme Court judges.
Earlier on Saturday, he issued three presidential orders,
lifting the state of emergency, revoking the PCO and reviving the
constitution.
(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2007)
