Musharraf rejects calls to quit

Islamabad, Feb 19 : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has rejected calls to quit after his allies conceded defeat in the crucial parliamentary elections held on Monday.

"They are way off in their demands," presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi told reporters.

"This is not the election for President. Musharraf is already elected for five years," he added.

Earlier, Sharif told reporters in Lahore, "Musharraf has said he would quit when people tell him. People have now given their verdict."

Separately, Aitzaz Ahsan, a lawyer who has been under house arrest since Musharraf declared a state of emergency in November, said Musharraf should step down because he was the "most hated man in the country".

Qureshi, however, said Musharraf was ready to work with the next government.

"He has already pledged that he is ready to work with anyone who wins and forms the government. God willing, we will continue to march forward," Qureshi said.

ANI