Musharraf, Bhutto comment on crisis

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-16-2007 09:20

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf gestures during a news conference in Islamabad November 11, 2007. (Faisal Mahmood/Reuters)

Pakistani opposition parties have questioned the legality of President Pervez Musharraf's campaign for presidency while he is the army chief.

This led to the imposition of emergency rule. Musharraf has been trying to calm fears about the state of emergency, and says he will give up his role as army chief.

Musharraf says he plans to remain president He has finalized an interim administration to oversee the January vote And the caretaker prime minister will be sworn in on Friday.

Musharraf rejects insinuations that international pressure led to his recent announcement that elections would be held by mid-January. He says that his actions are in the best interests of Pakistan.

Pervez Musharraf, President, Pakistan, said, "Facing criticism or critical analysis of policies is not problem for me at all, it's not an issue at all. At this point, the most important issue in Pakistan, its integrity and its democratic transition is very important."

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto speaks with media representatives during her visit in Lahore, 12 November 2007. (AFP/File/Aamir Qureshi)

And former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto says "an exit strategy" is needed when she was asked about fears of a power vacuum once Musharraf leaves.

Benazir Bhutto, Former Pakistan PM, said, "We need to see whether we can come up with an interim government of national consensus to whom power can be handed. Unless the opposition comes up with an interim government of national consensus to whom will Musharraf hand over power if he were to quit."

Bhutto who is leader of the opposition Pakistan People's Party hopes to form a government of national unity to replace Musharraf ahead of elections She is talking with other opposition parties to try to get them on board.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei