ISLAMABAD , Pakistan, March 23 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf welcomed a "new era of democracy" during his Pakistan Day speech in Islamabad Sunday.
Musharraf, who came into rule after a military coup in 1999, deemed his nine-year presidency as a march "toward democracy and development," Voice of America reported.
Musharraf is expected to swear in Pakistan People's Party Vice Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani as Pakistan's new democratic prime minister Tuesday.
However, Voice of America noted Gilani's fate as prime minister rests with party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
"People are not concerned whether we are here completing five years or not completing. They are only concerned whether we have delivered to the nation or not," Gilani said Sunday.
Members of the new coalition government agreed upon by the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Muslim League have cited hopes that Musharraf steps down as president soon through resignation or impeachment, the report said.
