ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf gave a firm assurance to the nation on Wednesday that the October elections would be free, fair and transparent.

Addressing a select gathering on the 55th Independence Day, the president said: “On this solemn occasion, let me give the whole nation a personal guarantee... I will take all possible measures to ensure a free, fair and a transparent election” with a view to restoring democracy.

“Our government has taken a number of steps to encourage a change and bring in new leadership,” he said, adding that the voter’s age had been reduced to 18 years and minimum educational qualification of BA had been introduced for the candidates. The step, he believed, would stop looters, criminals, defaulters, and tax-evaders from entering the assemblies.

For the first time, the Independent Day celebrations were held indoor, in the Convention Centre, owing to unpredictable weather forecast. However, sources said, growing security concerns had compelled the government to avoid taking the risk of holding the celebrations in front of the parliament building.

The president urged people to understand the value of their vote and told them to vote for those who could serve the nation with honesty, sincerity and dedication.

Talking about terrorism, the president said the country was committed to root out “this scourge” so that the world became a safer place to live in. “We all have to put in joint efforts to root out those who are maligning our religion and tarnish the image of Pakistan.”

He pointed out that there were no quick-fix solutions to sectarianism and extremism. The government, he said, was following a methodical approach to deal with these problems and added that results were encouraging. “Our security agencies have already made very important breakthrough. A sizable number of gangs of terrorists have been busted and almost all top criminals carrying head-money have been apprehended,” he said.

The president remarked that the government’s response to the Murree and Taxila attacks was swift and effective. He revealed that 15 of the terrorists, who were involved in these attacks and planning more attacks, were arrested and others were killed.

The president urged Ulema, religious parties and other organizations to come forward to protect Islam from distortion and abuse.

Gen Musharraf emphasized that resolution of the Kashmir dispute was imperative for a durable peace in South Asia and added that the struggle for self-determination of Kashmiris was a sacred trust which could never be compromised.

He reiterated Pakistan’s support to the struggle of the people of occupied Kashmir for their right to self-determination promised to them by the international community.

Reiterating Pakistan’s strong desire for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir and all other outstanding issues, Gen Musharraf made it abundantly clear that Pakistan would never be subdued by coercion. He, however, said that Pakistan believed in peace.

He warned that no one should dare think of any adventurism across “our borders”. He assured the nation that its armed forces were standing guard on the country’s borders. The armed forces, he said, would not only defend every inch of the motherland but carry the fight across the border.

The president said that the announcement by India to hold elections in occupied Kashmir was yet another attempt to give a mask of legitimacy to its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said Pakistan’s position on the issue was based on the Security Council resolutions that elections cannot be a substitute for a free and impartial plebiscite to be held under the auspices of the world body.

He pointed out that the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the sole credible voice of Kashmiri people, had already rejected the holding of such elections. He said if the past was any guide the elections planned by India would once again take place without participation of the Kashmiri people and they were only designed to obtain pre-determined results.

The president said India claimed that peaceful elections in occupied Kashmir would be a test of Pakistan’s sincerity for a dialogue with New Delhi. Terming it a self-serving argument, he said Pakistan cannot accept any responsibility for the developments taking place inside occupied Kashmir nor can India blame the failure of elections on Pakistan.

Referring to the government’s achievements during the last three years, he said: “We have demonstrated to the world that good governance, economic progress and elimination of corruption is possible in Pakistan. The world accepted this now”.

He pointed out that this was no mean achievement when compared with the despair and despondency prevailing in 1999. At that time, he said, the target was revival of fledgling economy, strengthening of the federation, improving law and order, de- politicizing state institutions, introduction of a system of accountability, and rebuilding of national confidence. He observed that substantial progress had been made on this agenda during the short period of less than three years.

The president said the government had decided to rebuild the state institutions and undertake fundamental and far-reaching reforms to ensure sustainability and long-lasting growth. He said his government’s strategy was to get out of debt trap and reschedule debt to get fiscal space. The resources thus spared were being used on development projects, he added.

Gen Musharraf paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and other heroes of the freedom struggle who had fought against all odds to create a new homeland for the Muslims of South Asia.

Addressing the youth, the president said: “We have tried to create conditions for you to take charge and steer the country ahead to progress and prosperity.” He advised them to build high character and honour.

The colourful ceremony was attended by ministers, services chiefs, diplomats, civil and military officials, prominent citizens and thousands of students. The young boys and girls were carrying miniature Pakistani flags which they warmly waved during the proceedings of function.

A group of children presented patriotic songs, enthralling the audience. After the ceremony, the president went to them and appreciated their national spirit.

Earlier, the president unfurled the national flag. It was preceded by the sounding of sirens across the country at 7.59am. After the flag-hoisting, the participants of the ceremony and the entire nation joined in singing the national anthem.