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Emergency to continue beyond elections

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday refused to give a date for lifting the state of emergency, and said it would continue during the electoral process even beyond the general elections to reinforce Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. “In view of the disturbed situation and fight against terrorism, emergency will ensure transparent polls,” he replied to a question about the possibility of fair polls during the emergency. He said all those arrested on political grounds would be released to participate in the polls. “But we will take action and arrest those who attempt to create anarchy. We must not allow [political disturbance and anarchy],” he said, adding that emergency would also reinforce the fight against terrorism, giving the army a lead role. He did not mention whether he would withdraw the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) before the polls. “All [international] leaders who spoke to me understand the situation in Pakistan and our commitment and role in the war against terrorism,” he said. The president said the military operation against terrorists would continue even after the emergency was lifted. “Our fight against terrorism will continue unimpeded,” he said, adding that the decision to impose emergency was a difficult one. The president said he had imposed emergency to save the democratic process and bring the country out of crisis. staff report

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