Special report: Pakistani Situation

    ISLAMABAD, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Thursday pledged that general elections would be held as scheduled and the vote would be free, fair and transparent.

    "This is the mother of all elections," Musharraf said at a special conference of government officials here and shown live on the state-run PTV.

    "Despite all the insinuation and apprehensions, the elections will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. It is my pledge to the nation," he said.

    "The derailed process of democracy is back on track and elections will be on February 18. In the atmosphere of terrorism, no disruption and violence will be allowed," he said.

    Pakistan's "reputation is at stake and to an extent our future depends on this," said Musharraf.

    Describing the upcoming elections as very important, Musharraf said that he was happy that all the political parties would be taking part in the elections. He however asked the political parties to show grace by accepting the election results.

    Musharraf said that he believed in true democracy as this was essential for good governance and economic development of the country.

    Musharraf rejected accusations of rigging leveled by opponents.

    "It is not possible to stop some sort of problems at the tactical level on the question of rigging, but we have taken all measures to make it rigging-free," he said.

    Musharraf also dismissed a series of recent opinion polls by foreign organizations that showed his popularity nose-diving. "They are carrying out opinion polls through NGOs (non-government alorganizations) who abuse us," he said.

    Musharraf said that he believed that country came first and before the democracy, adding that the personal interests could not be given priority over national interest.