Islamabad, Pakistan: November 14, 2007 - IR Summary- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has come out today with the befitting reply to those who continuously attacked him for imposition of Emergency.

President Musharraf took the critics left and right and justified imposition of Emergency. He always regarded the nation to come first of all  other issues. 

“If a country is sliding towards becoming a failed state, is it more important to arrest that slide or have so called democracy,” he said.

The calls from the US or anywhere else cannot force him to go against the interest of his nation, he regards all constructive suggestions from all quarters but at the same time, he has to ignore if any proposition is against the interest of his nation.

Musharraf clarified that he would stand by his word and would lift Emergency after elections are held in the country.

So far the mode of the people is concerned; it is not their mode but the instigations by vested interests and the political leaders who are more after their individual positions than the cause of the nation.

He said:

 . “I know that the people support the Emergency. In fact, they are questioning as to why I did not take the decision earlier.”

Commenting on the house arrest of Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf said, “You cannot come back on a supposedly conciliatory note and then suddenly turn hostile.”  

The Pakistani President further said:

"I am not a dictator, I want a democracy,” Musharraf said. "The day when there is no turmoil in Pakistan, I will step down," he added.

Musharraf said the West and the media had let him down.

"We may lose the battle on terror because of misreporting by some parts of the media in Pakistan and around the world," Musharraf said. "Leave the past behind. The country must work together for the best of Pakistan," he added.

The General admitted that the situation in Pakistan was deteriorating and added he was disturbed that his achievements had not been recognized at home or abroad.

Hence emergency was the right course that he announced and for a temporary period till elections are held, as per media reports.