'2007 elections on schedule, will retain both posts till then'

Islamabad, Apr 21 (UNI) Asserting ''free and fair elections'' would take place on schedule this year, Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf firmly denied any deal with the Pakistan People's Party for the polls and said he would retain both his posts till then at least, reports today said.

''There's no deal at all ... no alliance, no deal (with the PPP),'' he said in an interview to Arabic TV channel 'Al-Arabia', the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

''Elections would be held by the year's end in free, fair and transparent manner, and political action could be considered after viewing the outcome,'' Gen Musharraf said, adding it was ''election year and we will follow the constitution of Pakistan.'' In response to a question, the President said he would retain both his posts till the elections at least.

''I will not remove the uniform till the election because I have been constitutionally allowed to remain as President and Chief of the Army Staff till the end of the year,'' he said, pointing out Parliament had decided with two-thirds majority that he could keep the two offices at the same time.

Gen Musharraf asserted that any change in Pakistan will be through ''political process by the people of Pakistan and not by any outside pressure.'' Replying to a question about American 'doubting' Pakistan in the war against terrorism, the President said such reports were ''only in the media'' and said that his country and the US have ''excellent contacts'' at the official level..

''We (Pakistan and US) have excellent intelligence cooperation, we have excellent cooperation at the strategical and operational levels,'' he maintained, saying there was 'complete understanding'' between him and President Bush.

So there is no doubting on Pakistan's role and Pakistan's importance in the war against terrorism, he said, admitting there could be certain areas where there could be difference of perception, ''but that does not mean that they are doubting Pakistan's role in war against terrorism or my resolve or intention to fight Taliban or extremists.'' ''Pakistan is the only country taking concrete measures against terrorism,'' he said, adding they were ''moving on four-prongs to control this situation by focusing on political, military, administrative and developmental aspects.'' ''No other person or country is doing this in such a holistic manner,''Gen Musharraf claimed.

UNI