By Muhammad Najeeb
Islamabad, March 23 (IANS) Two days before he swears in a new prime minister whose party is not too well disposed towards him, President Pervez Musharraf said Sunday that the period of real democracy has begun in Pakistan and he is fully prepared to work with the new government.
Addressing a parade here on the occasion of Pakistan Day, Musharraf paid rich tributes to caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, the Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies on holding a free, fair and transparent election on Feb 18.
He said he is fully prepared to work with the newly-elected government, which would have his complete support. Makhdoom Yousaf Raza Gillani, who has been nominated to be prime minister in the coalition government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is expected to take oath on Tuesday.
In his address to mark the day 68 years ago when a resolution for creating Pakistan was approved, Musharraf hoped that the next government would make all out efforts to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the country and fight against terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan Day is usually marked with a display of weapons and the country’s military might, but probably for the first time the address of the president was more focused on democracy and politics.
Earlier, a 31-gun salute was held in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered in all mosques for the solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan.
Stressing that defence, security and integrity can be achieved only through power not weakness, Musharraf said that Pakistan has no aggressive designs against anyone.
Musharraf said he has put the country “on the track of development and progress”.
The Pakistan armed forces are the best in the whole world and the nation should be proud of them, he observed.