Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf returned to Pakistan on Wednesday after a brief official visit to Saudi Arabia during which he held discussions on regional and international issues, including the fight against extremism and terror.
Despite intense speculation that he might establish contact with former premier Nawaz Sharif, currently living in exile in Jeddah, Musharraf did not hold talks with the PML-N leader or hold discussions with Saudi leaders on Sharif's return to Pakistan ahead of the general election.
Musharraf told the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz that his government will ensure that the polls on January 8 will be free and fair. He said caretaker governments have been set up at the federal and provincial levels to oversee the holding of free and transparent elections.
Pakistan's Election Commission is in high gear to hold the general election "for a smooth transition to complete civilian rule", Musharraf said.
The military ruler briefed the king about the circumstances leading to imposition of emergency in Pakistan. Musharraf said the law and order situation, growing terrorism and militancy and the conflict between the judiciary and the executive and the legislature had left him with little choice but to take this difficult decision. Musharraf also performed umrah or a minor Haj pilgrimage late last night and prayed for peace, security and prosperity of Pakistan.
The military ruler was received by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro and army vice chief Gen Ashfaq Kiyani on his arrival at Chaklala airbase.
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