The Hindu : Fully prepared: Musharraf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 26, 2002

Front Page

Front Page

Fully prepared: Musharraf

Islamabad May 25. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, said he was not ``impressed'' by the reported two months' deadline given by India for him to crack down on militants and stop infiltration into India.

Referring to India's reaction that New Delhi was not impressed by Islamabad's test-firing of missiles, Gen. Musharraf told a conference of Islamic clerics that ``we in Pakistan too were not impressed by any deadline of two weeks or two months. They talk of giving two weeks or two months time (to Pakistan). We are not impressed by such talks either.''

Gen. Musharraf told the national ``seerat'' conference in which a number of Islamic scholars took part that Pakistan is ``fully prepared if war is imposed on us and no one should entertain misunderstanding on this account''.

The world community was aware of Pakistan's strength. ``It is time now to consolidate our internal unity by sinking personal, political, sectarian or parochial interests''.

The General also spoke about the need for overcoming religious and sectarian differences by adopting a policy of tolerance. Referring to the hardline elements, he said everyone could have opinions. But it was the responsibility of the government to take people along and respect their sentiments, while taking any decision of any national importance.

``But when the Government takes such a decision in line with the nation's ideology, it becomes incumbent upon the entire nation to support and strengthen the decision.''

He also spoke of the need for forging national unity in the hour of crisis and appealed to the mainstream political parties which had boycotted the all party meeting to discuss the standoff with India. He guaranteed holding of general elections before October 12 this year.

Reports in Pakistan media, meanwhile, said the government has approved ``sweeping'' measures against militants.

The government had asked the Ministry of Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, Law and Justice Division and provincial Home Departments to take appropriate measures against the banned militant outfits, reports said. — PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Our patience is running out, says Vajpayee

Focus on diplomacy

PM briefs President

Putin to meet Vajpayee, Musharraf next month

Pak. test-fires Ghauri missile

Fully prepared: Musharraf

Stop incursions: Bush

Violence erupts in Godhra

U.S focussed 'like a laser beam' to avert war

India has closed last chance for talks: Qazi