President General Pervez Musharraf sought to justify his emergency rule on Thursday, saying that foreign militants based in Pakistan were planning terrorist attacks around the world.He said Pakistan had to “get our own house in order” and then show its efforts to the West. “Foreigners are sitting here and are planning terrorism all over the world,” he told participants of an interactive programme, “Aiwan-e-Sadr Sey” on PTV, reported AFP.
“We have caught people who had maps of European countries and targets there. They (the West) are asking us to eliminate these people,” said Musharraf. “We are also concerned because these people are also carrying out suicide bombings inside Pakistan.”
“We have to put our own house into order and then talk to the West. They recognise our efforts,” Musharraf said.
Gen Musharraf also asked the nation to support the countryÂ’s law enforcement agencies against extremists and terrorists for PakistanÂ’s safe and secure future, reported APP. He said the countryÂ’s armed forces were well equipped and fully prepared to protect the country, however it faced the greatest threat from internal extremists and terrorists.
The president said the government was spending billions of rupees on several development projects in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, adding that there was a need to allocate more funds to undo the neglect of past. He said the country did not want to engage in an arms race, adding that it would continue to maintain its minimum defence deterrence.
No martial law: He said there was no martial law in the country and the civil government was working smoothly and was in a transitionary phase towards complete civil rule. He said he had always believed in an independent media, adding that independence also comes with responsibility.