ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday that he would no longer be running the government after elections as the responsibility would stand transferred fully to the elected prime minister.

Presiding over a cabinet meeting here, the president reiterated his commitment on transfer of power to the elected government.

“After the elections, the prime minister will be fully in charge (of things) and empowered to govern the country,” Gen Musharraf said.

However, he said that as president he would discharge his constitutional duties to ensure continuity of good governance through constitutional measures.

He said that as president it would also be his endeavour to bring political harmony in the country.

“I am confident that as a result of the forthcoming elections a new political culture of tolerance, accommodation and responsibility will emerge, replacing the culture of complete political polarization and conflict as we witnessed in the past decade,” he said.

Musharraf emphasized that there should be an end to polarization and politics of hatred.

“I believe that politicians have also realized that political polarization and hatred will no longer be acceptable to the people of Pakistan.”

The president hoped that the people would send honest and committed representatives to the parliament.

Talking about the media’s role as watchdog, the president said that “the freedom we have given to the press during the last three years would also help ensure that no ‘mis-governance’ takes place.”

“I am sure, no government would be able to curtail the freedom given to the press by this government,” he said.

Earlier, NAB Chairman, Lt-Gen Munir Hafeez briefed the cabinet about national accountability strategy.

The meeting approved amendments to the Companies Act, 1984, allowing sole proprietorship to get registered under the Act.

The new amendments also allow the circulation of the minutes of the meeting of board of directors within 14 days. It also provides an appeal against the refusal by the board to transfer shares.

Briefing the reporters after the cabinet meeting, Secretary Information, Syed Anwar Mehmood, said that the amendment was brought to protect the creditors and to promote healthy business practices.

The cabinet also approved the first-ever “Private Examination Board” allowing Aga Khan University to administer examinations in Urdu and English and award certificates at all academic levels up to higher secondary.

The AKU Examination Board will follow the national curriculum and syllabus. The cabinet hoped that the establishment of this board in private sector will help raise the standard of examinations at HSC level

The cabinet approved amendment to Section 489 of Pakistan Penal Code, providing three years imprisonment and a fine to a person who deliberately issues a cheque which is not honoured by the bank.

According to amended section 489-F, in the event of the bouncing of any cheque which is issued dishonestly, the person shall be liable to three years imprisonment or fine or both.

The cabinet also approved amendment to the Explosives Ordinance, 1884, allowing transportation of explosive material by air for use in mining, cement industry, oil exploration and construction of roads and bridges.

The secretary information said that this explosive material could only be transported on cargo planes. The cabinet approved amendments to the Patents Law to bring it in conformity with the WTO agreement of 1994.—APP