Musharraf rules out early elections

Musharraf says Pakistan is moving towards the direction of democracy

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan -- Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has ruled out early elections in Pakistan -- at least before October 2002.

"This is my assurance that we will have an elected government in place by October 2002 ... there should be no doubts about," said Musharraf, who declared himself president after dissolving the suspended parliament and four provincial assemblies earlier this month.

Musharraf led the army that toppled the elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup on October 12, 1999, accusing him of massive corruption, destroying institutions and undermining the constitution.

The military takeover was later justified by Pakistan's Supreme Court.

The country's highest court also gave Musharraf three years to introduce sweeping political and economic reforms and amend the constitution.

PROFILE General Pervez Musharraf     MESSAGE BOARD India and Pakistan

"The international community should understand that the question here is not to return the country to democracy, but establishing democracy in Pakistan," he added.

Western countries have pressured Musharraf to return the country to democracy, but the military general said his ascension to the presidency was in the "national interest."

According to him, the government is moving in the direction of democracy.

The government is holding municipal elections in phases, which Musharraf says is the first step toward grass roots democracy. The elections will be completed by August.

Democracy remains weak

The army has ruled the country for most of the time since Pakistan was carved out of British India in 1947.

Democratic institutions and political parties have remained weak in Pakistan, where four elected governments have been thrown out of power on charges of corruption since 1990.

Frustrated by years of corruption and misrule by the successive elected governments, many Pakistanis welcomed the toppling of the Sharif government and demanded stern action against corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists.

Musharraf faces little challenge from politicians, who have so far failed to gather support against his government.

The military-led government plans to introduce proper checks and balances and division of power to block the way of military takeover in the future, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.