Musharraf for Safeguarding National Integrity, SolidarityPakistani President General Pervez Musharraf said Monday in Islamabad that it was essential for all Pakistanis, irrespective of their political and party affiliations, to rise to the occasion and play a positive role for safeguarding national integrity, unity and solidarity at this critical juncture in the country's history.He expressed the view while talking to a group of politicians representing the Pakistan Peoples' Party who called on him, Major General Rashid Qureshi, spokesman for the president, told journalists during the daily Foreign Office briefing. Qureshi said that political leaders and the president exchanged views on a number of issues of national importance as well as the prevailing situation in the region with special reference to Afghanistan. On the occasion, Musharraf also reiterated his firm commitment to holding free, fair and impartial elections to the national and provincial assemblies in October next year, in light of the Supreme Court's decision. While appreciating the decisions taken by the government, the politicians agreed with the president that the country was passing through a critical phase in its history and it was imperative for all Pakistanis to remain united in national interest, Qureshi said. He added that the president would continue to meet representatives of all political parties as part of the process initiated by him for consultationss. |
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