Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the evening of August 13th called for avoiding confrontation and adopting a conciliatory approach to overcome economic crisis and defeat terrorism. He made this call while attending the Salam Pakistan culture show organized by the state-run PTV at the President House in connection with the Independence Day.
This was his first public appearance after Pakistan's ruling coalition on august 7 declared to move for impeachment against him.
Musharraf appealed in his speech for resolving Pakistan's current grim political crisis through talks and consultations. Pakistan needs political stability to overcome the present crisis and, to achieve the political stability, it is imperative to take "a conciliatory approach," he said. He also expressed the conviction that his country would pass through the current crisis.
His remarks, however, were very prudent and circumspect, without mentioning the appraisal of his government or the impeachment process he is possible to face. On Wednesday, only Tanvir Mahmood Almad (L), the chief of the general staff of the Pakistan Air Force, and Mohammad Mian Somroo, the chairman of the Pakistan Senate, visited the Salam Pakistan culture show, whereas the chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, the chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy and ruling party leaders and some other VIPs did not show up.
Pakistan's 61st Independence Day was observed on Thursday, August 14, in all parts of the country. On the day, President Pervez Musharra and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani both appealed for the whole nation to get united to jointly respond to the present crisis and challenges.
In his message to the nation, President Musharraf acknowledged to the nation that Pakistan was passing "through a difficult period" and the country's "enemies and some element, both external and internal," were attempting in all aspects to disrupt the stability of Pakistan. To successfully attain democracy, he said, it is essential to be tolerant and patient. The Pakistan president also called for joint national efforts to make his nation a real, vigorous, democratic and progressive Islamic republic.
Flag hoisting and playing national anthem mark the Independence Day celebration. At the official ceremony of the country's 61st Independence Day held in the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad on Thursday, Prime Ministers Gilani said Pakistan was passing though a difficult period as the country, apart from being exposed to threat by terrorism and extremism, is faced with challenges from surging price rises, relatively high unemployment rate and an electricity shortage. So people across the nation should unite to actively help their government tide over the current crisis and work to turn Pakistan into an unprejudiced and peaceful nation, he said.
Meanwhile，Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and former Prime Minister, also delivered a speech to mark Independence Day. In his speech, he called for concerted efforts to work for the wellbeing of the Pakistani people and stabilize the volatile economy. Sharif also pledged to work for the country's true independence through an independent and transparent legal system and materialize the "dream of the founding father of Pakistan".
Nevertheless, a suicide blast occurred in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province and the second largest city in Pakistan, on the eve of the Independence Day with five cops killed in the blast.
At a joint press conference held on August 7, both Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari, and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif declared the launch of an impeachment process against Musharraf. The ruling coalition has reportedly asked President Pervez Musharraf to seek a confidence vote in Parliament or face impeachment.
With the resolutions passed by the parliaments of three provinces to urge Musharraf to seek the confidence vote, Information Minister Sherry Rehman told media press on Wednesday that the ruling coalition is expected to submit the text of impeachment against President Musharraf to the parliament on coming August 18, or next Monday. With the constant mounting pressure imposed by the ruling coalition upon President Musharaff, political analysts note, the impeachment crisis is likely to make the political arena in Pakistan vibrating even more acutely.
By People's Daily Online and its author is Meng Xianglin, PD resident reporter in Pakistan
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