Musharraf promises free elections

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Saturday lifted his six-week-old emergency rule and later told the nation next month's elections would be free and fair.

The emergency decree imposed Nov. 3 was set aside a day after Musharraf amended the country's Constitution to ensure there is no further legal challenge to his power during his second term.

After ending the emergency decree -- which brought him much international criticism and considerable opposition at home -- Musharraf went on television Saturday night to tell the nation Pakistan is back on the road to democracy, Voice of America reported.

He defended his emergency rule, saying it was done to stop high court judges and others from disrupting the country's march to democracy.

The emergency rule resulted in the suspension of the Constitution and the arrests of hundreds of opposition politicians and the dismissal of Supreme Court judges.

In his address, Musharraf again promised not to interfere in the Jan. 8 parliamentary elections.

"It is my commitment to the entire nation of Pakistan and to its people, and to the world, that the election on the eighth of January will be held on time and will be absolutely fair and transparent," he said.

He said the country would like to invite several observers to judge the fairness of the election, the report said. But critics still say the election will be rigged, The New York Times reported.

Musharraf also took oaths Saturday from 14 loyal judges on the new Supreme Court, permanently replacing the justices he dismissed six weeks ago.

Musharraf has relinquished his army chief title, which was the focus of the legal battle against him when he imposed emergency rule.