Constitutional Issues, Political-Economic Considerations Lead to Presidency: MusharrafPakistan's new president Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said that constitutional issues and political and economic considerations led him to take the decision of being sworn in as president.Talking to journalists after the swearing-in ceremony, he said that after the dissolution of the national and provincial assemblies, which had elected the president, the office of the president had become untenable. "There should be no doubt whatsoever that the elections of national and provincial assemblies would be held as stipulated, under the Supreme Court verdict," President Musharraf said to the journalists. President Musharraf said that he would serve the country "in the best and supreme interest of the people." With regard to restoration of democracy, he said that the government would abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. "There is no change in the government policy towards restoration of democracy in the country," he said. Musharraf took oath as President of Pakistan at a ceremony held in the President House here Wednesday afternoon. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Irshad Hasan Khan administered the oath of Musharraf's new office. This political change follows an amendment to the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) promulgated in 2001. It will strengthen his position as equal in terms of civilian and constitutional authority ahead of his July 14 summit with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Former President Rafiq Tarar has ceased to hold his post and the country's suspended parliament has been formally dissolved. Musharraf has been performing duties as the Chief Executive of Pakistan since October 12, 1999. |
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