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Musharraf calls for January poll Musharraf calls for January poll
(20 minutes later)
President Pervez Musharraf has said he hopes new parliamentary elections can be held in Pakistan by 9 January.President Pervez Musharraf has said he hopes new parliamentary elections can be held in Pakistan by 9 January.
Gen Musharraf said national and regional assemblies would be dissolved in the coming weeks and that elections would take place on a single day.Gen Musharraf said national and regional assemblies would be dissolved in the coming weeks and that elections would take place on a single day.
He tasked the Election Commission with preparing for the vote, and said it was up to them to determine the date.He tasked the Election Commission with preparing for the vote, and said it was up to them to determine the date.
Gen Musharraf was addressing his first news conference since declaring emergency rule on 3 November.Gen Musharraf was addressing his first news conference since declaring emergency rule on 3 November.
He defended the decision to impose emergency rule and insisted he had done nothing wrong and did not violate the constitution.
"I stand by it because I think it was in the national interest."
He added that it was "the most difficult decision" of his life.
But he did not say when it would be lifted.
Suspension
"I would request the Election Commission to hold the elections as soon as possible, as fast as possible, which means, if you calculate 45-60 days from 20 November, we should have the elections before 9 January, which happens to be the start of [the Muslim month of] Moharram," he said."I would request the Election Commission to hold the elections as soon as possible, as fast as possible, which means, if you calculate 45-60 days from 20 November, we should have the elections before 9 January, which happens to be the start of [the Muslim month of] Moharram," he said.
Eight days ago he imposed emergency rule, suspending the constitution and firing the Supreme Court's chief justice.Eight days ago he imposed emergency rule, suspending the constitution and firing the Supreme Court's chief justice.
His allies abroad and political opponents in Pakistan have been calling for the emergency to be lifted as soon as possible.His allies abroad and political opponents in Pakistan have been calling for the emergency to be lifted as soon as possible.
On Thursday, Gen Musharraf said Pakistan would hold parliamentary elections before 15 February.On Thursday, Gen Musharraf said Pakistan would hold parliamentary elections before 15 February.