Pak faces serious challenges: Musharraf

Lahore, Mar 9: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has cautioned the country's new rulers to end their form of politics and focus on economic progress and fighting terrorism.

Stating that Pakistan faced "very serious challenges," Musharraf said:"As soon as the governments are formed in the Centre and in provinces, this is the cut off when there should be less politics and governance starts. Put politics on a back-burner." "If there is chaos and anarchy the country cannot progress and we will have to stop it. A country where there is only politicking for the next five years, cannot move forward. I hope the new government will understand their responsibility and do their best to achieve this objective," the Daily Times quoted him as saying after inaugurating a new television station in Multan.

Pakistan's economy was facing three major threats - from rising international fuel prices, from the threefold increase in cooking oil prices, and from the prices of wheat that had gone up in the US by 22 percent, hesaid, adding there was a gap between the fiscal deficit and the balance of payment that needed to be filled.

He said Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves had reached an all time high of 17 billion dollars, exports had increased to 18 billion dollars, foreign remittances stood at 5.5 billion dollars, foreign direct investment was at 8 billion dollars last year and revenues were touching the trillion-dollar mark.

"Hard work, honest and sincerity to the purpose have gone down to achieve this," he claimed.

Parliament: The president said the Election Commission of Pakistan was to send him a summary through the caretaker prime minister, in line with the laid down procedure, for him to summon parliament.

"As soon as I get it, the sessions of national and provincial assemblies will be summoned, without any delay," he added.

He said the people who had alleged that the February 18 polls would be rigged should now be held accountable after the allegations proved wrong. The media too must show responsibility as it is their duty not to let the nation get demoralised," he added.

He also said that there was no truth in the report that the Pakistan Army was distancing itself from him.

ANI