Musharraf again defends emergency rule

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf says he cannot give a date for lifting emergency rule as it is needed to carry out military operations against terrorists.

In a Sunday news conference, during which he announced elections would be held before Jan. 9, the general would not say when the emergency decree he issued Nov. 9 would be lifted, Dawn newspaper reported Monday.

"But I cannot give you the exact date for lifting emergency which is primarily aimed at effectively carrying out an army operation against terrorists who are fast becoming a threat for settled areas of (Pakistan's North West Frontier Province) and elsewhere," he said, Dawn reported.

Musharraf said Pakistani military action against the terrorists, whose violence has virtually given them control of the tribal areas, would be intensified by raising 128 platoons of the Frontier Constabulary and recruiting more policemen.

Musharraf did not say when he would give up his other title of military chief, which is main objection of opposition leaders in their supreme court petitions challenging his re-election to a second term. The emergency proclamation was issued before the court could make a ruling.

"I wish I could give any specific date to remove my uniform as the issue is sub judice and requires notification by the Supreme Court," Musharraf said, the Dawn reported.